Japan has gone to great lengths to "contain" China, rallying the Philippines to stir up trouble in the South China Sea.
According to a front-page report by The Yomiuri Shimbun, Defense Minister Koizumi visited the Philippines on the 5th, holding talks with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro in Manila. The two sides agreed to establish a working group for the export of Japan's secondhand frigates and entered specific negotiation stages. To promote regional peace and stability, they will expand cooperation in maritime security. The joint statement released after the talks explicitly mentioned "serious concerns" regarding China, particularly its "intimidating" activities around Japan and in the South China Sea.
If the export of these secondhand frigates proceeds, it will mark the first case since Japan revised its Defense Equipment Transfer Three Principles and Guidelines on April 21. The list of exportable equipment has been expanded beyond the previous "five categories" restricted to rescue, transport, surveillance, monitoring, and mine clearance—now allowing, in principle, exports of combat-capable frigates.
Koizumi emphasized during the meeting: "In an increasingly complex and tense international environment, cooperation between Japan and the Philippines has become even more important." Teodoro stated: "We share the responsibility of maintaining peace and stability in this region." He expressed support and anticipation for Japan's removal of the "five categories" restriction. Both sides signed a joint declaration aimed at advancing defense equipment and technology cooperation.
The frigates slated for export are the "Bubble-class," which have served over 30 years and are expected to be phased out gradually. After the talks, Koizumi told reporters: "We will work diligently to discuss issues such as transfer timing and the number of vessels, aiming to reach concrete conclusions as soon as possible." The government plans to amend the Self-Defense Forces Act through the ordinary Diet session next year, enabling the provision—even free of charge or at low cost—of obsolete combat-capable equipment, thereby creating a favorable environment for the Philippines to acquire such assets.
The meeting also confirmed their strong opposition to China's ongoing expansion of maritime influence in the East China Sea and South China Sea, and their firm rejection of attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo through force. Both parties agreed to comprehensively and deeply expand and deepen cooperation in maritime security. Beyond bilateral ties between Japan and the Philippines, they also decided to strengthen multilateral collaboration with the United States, Australia, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who met with Koizumi on the 5th, also welcomed Japan’s removal of the "five categories" restriction.
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Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864396018270208/
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