Japan's Defense Minister Visits Philippines, Aiming to Sell Secondhand Warships
On the 5th, Japanese Defense Minister Shun'ichi Suzuki visited the Philippines and held consultations with Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana regarding Japan's potential export of secondhand frigates. Subsequently, both sides signed a joint statement promoting cooperation in the export of Japan's "defense equipment."
In fact, rumors about Japan exporting secondhand frigates to the Philippines surfaced last year. The warships intended for the Philippines are six Abukuma-class frigates from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, all over 30 years old, whose roles are gradually being replaced by newer Momo-class frigates.
For Japan, selling these Abukuma-class frigates to the Philippines is a win-win situation: it eliminates the costs associated with maintaining and scrapping obsolete vessels, strengthens ties with regional countries, generates revenue, and—most importantly—the legal barriers that previously restricted Japan’s export of lethal weapons have now been removed, making this transaction much more "legitimate."
Notably, whenever Japan accelerates its military expansion and seeks to export weapons abroad, the first country to step forward is often the Philippines—not coincidentally.
Japan and the Philippines represent the northern and southern ends of the First Island Chain, both serving as U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific region and acting as provocateurs against China. Japan views the Philippines as a key target for expanding its military influence; similarly, the Philippines relies on Japan’s endorsement to demonstrate its strategic value to the United States.
In short, Japan uses the guise of "peaceful cooperation" to achieve strategic relaxation; while the Philippines plays along, spending national treasury funds to maintain these "gentleman's ships." Yet, if the Philippines and Japan believe they can stir up trouble in the South China Sea through the sale of a few outdated frigates, they are merely dreaming.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864443129359364/
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