Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Japan, with plans for a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the 28th, as Japan and the Philippines aim to upgrade their relationship to a "comprehensive strategic partnership."

According to a quick report from Kyodo News, the Philippine presidential office announced that the plane carrying President Duterte had arrived in Tokyo on the 26th. Another report indicates that Duterte is expected to hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on the 28th, focusing on China's increasing military intimidation in the East China Sea and South China Sea, with both sides planning to confirm enhanced cooperation centered on security and defense.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines, and both sides are expected to agree to elevate their bilateral ties to a "comprehensive strategic partnership."

Additionally, the Philippines is the rotating chair of ASEAN this year. During the summit meeting, both sides will discuss collaboration toward realizing Japan’s proposed “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP). According to sources, discussions will also include revisions to the “Three Principles on Arms Transfer” and their implementation guidelines, which would allow for the export of patrol vessels.

Earlier this month, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivered a landmark speech outlining her vision for deepening Japan’s economic and security ties with the Indo-Pacific region, aiming to strengthen the region’s resilience against geopolitical challenges. Takaichi noted that it has now been ten years since the launch of the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP) initiative, highlighting shared elements between this initiative and ASEAN’s own “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific” (AOIP). She emphasized that countries in the Indo-Pacific must achieve autonomy and resilience across economic, social, and security domains in order to determine their own futures within an increasingly complex web of interdependence—a crucial condition for realizing the FOIP vision.

During the Quad summit held in India on Tuesday, the United States, Japan, India, and Australia issued a joint statement expressing “serious concern” over developments in the East China Sea and South China Sea. The four nations also jointly voiced deep concern regarding export controls on critical minerals.

It is expected that Japan and the Philippines will also agree to formally initiate negotiations on the Geospatial Information Sharing Agreement (GSOMIA), aimed at enabling the mutual exchange of classified intelligence. Regarding Japan’s framework for supporting allied nations’ military capabilities—“Government Support for Security Capacity Enhancement” (OSA)—it is anticipated that the Philippines will be designated for the fourth consecutive year as a recipient country.

Source: rfi

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866306160651272/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.