- Japan-Philippines sign ACSA, defense pacts for logistics.
- Japan gives $6M aid for Philippine naval facilities.
- Reaffirm support vs China claims in South China Sea.
Japan and the Philippines signed two major defense agreements in a high, profile ceremony aimed at ramping up security collaboration in the region amid an atmosphere of rising tension. One of the pacts is the Acquisition and Cross, Servicing Agreement (ACSA) that allows quick logistics support and mutual assistance between their armed forces. It is a further step in the closely allied U.S., Japan and U.S., Philippines relationship developed through last years Reciprocal Access Agreement.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro disclosed that Japan intends to extend $6 million in Official Security Assistance for the construction of facilities for rigid, hulled inflatable boats, further adding to the Japanese maritime contributions that have been instrumental in upgrading the naval power of Manila.
The defense agreements were signed in a region that is becoming increasingly volatile due to the continuous presence of unresolved maritime disputes mainly involving East Asia. Japan has been acting as the leading opposition to any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo while at the same time it has reaffirmed its support for Philippine maritime security within a trilateral framework that also includes the United States.
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Furthermore, Tokyo is in full support of the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision in The Hague, which ruled against China's expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea, a verdict that Beijing has so far refused to accept. As the Philippines gear up to lead the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the visit of Motegi underlines common issues such as freedom of navigation and overflight, all of which are in accordance with international law.
Japan points out that peace in the Taiwan Strait is a key issue of global security. The agreements unveil a series of issues that have made the regional tensions escalate, such as the Taiwan Strait situation and the military activities of China. In November, the remark of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about possible intervention in a Taiwan conflict caused a vehement reaction from Beijing which included export bans and a travel boycott.
China considers Taiwan a part of its territory even though it is only about 100 km away from Japan and it is the only one that has not yet ruled out the use of force for unification. However, Taiwan maintains that the determination of its destiny is solely its own prerogative.