Japan defense export shift boosts AFP modernization efforts – Marcos

MANILA, May 20 ------ President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed Japan’s expanded defense export policy, saying it would further strengthen security cooperation and military modernization efforts between Manila and Tokyo.

Responding to questions on Japan’s reported easing of restrictions on defense exports, Marcos said Manila and Tokyo have existing arrangements under their Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework involving military and defense-related equipment. “Well, this is exactly the change in posture that Japan has undertaken — the new policy of being able to export military material,” Marcos told Japanese media in press conference in Malacañang.

The President clarified that cooperation goes beyond weapons systems and includes radar systems, aircraft, vessels, support systems, training and technology-sharing arrangements. “And already under that agreement, there have been many exchanges in terms of not necessarily military equipment, but these are radar systems, these are support systems, there are aircraft, there are vessels that we have been discussing,” he said. Marcos said Japan’s continued support has significantly contributed to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) modernization efforts. “So that has been to the advantage certainly of the Philippines. And we are very grateful for Japan’s continuing help and support in terms of our modernization of our military,” he added.

The President said the evolving defense partnership marks a “new phase” in Philippines-Japan relations, which had traditionally focused on trade and development assistance. Prior to the expanded security cooperation, Marcos noted that Japan’s role in the Philippines was largely centered on official development assistance (ODA) through agencies such as Japan International Cooperation Agency and financing support from institutions like the Asian Development Bank. “This gives us a continuing strengthening and deepening of relationships between our two countries,” he said.

The Philippines and Japan have increasingly strengthened security ties amid growing concerns over regional tensions in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the South China Sea and East China Sea. In 2024, Manila and Tokyo signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement, allowing increased military cooperation, joint exercises and easier deployment of troops between the two countries.

Marcos stressed that partnerships and alliances among regional stakeholders have become increasingly necessary to preserve peace and stability. “It is becoming very, very clear to all the stakeholders around the Indo-Pacific region that these are necessary partnerships and alliances,” he said.

The President added that cooperation between the Philippines and Japan now extends to information-sharing, technology transfers and military training exchanges. “I’m not talking necessarily only about large military exercises, but also about the sharing of information, the sharing of technology, the training that the Japanese military can have here in the Philippines and the Philippines in Japan,” he said.

Marcos is set to embark on a four-day state visit to Japan from May 26 to mark the two countries’ 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The President said he hopes to further discuss security cooperation with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during their scheduled meeting.

Source: pna.gov.ph