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Japan and the Philippines have agreed to begin negotiations on new defense agreements and intelligence-sharing initiatives amid growing regional security threats, particularly from China.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, China and the Philippines have increasingly clashed over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where both nations lay claim to overlapping maritime zones, including critical fishing grounds and resource-rich reefs. Tensions have escalated as Chinese vessels have aggressively confronted Philippine ships near contested parts like the Scarborough Shoal and Sandy Cay. China is also pissed off over the United States expanding its military footprint in the Philippines through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which allows US forces access to key bases across the archipelago. China views this growing American presence as a direct threat to its regional dominance and strategic interests, especially given the Philippines’ proximity to Taiwan. Many analysts believe that in the event of a conflict over Taiwan, the Philippines would play a crucial role as a forward operating base for US military operations, effectively making it a frontline in any potential US-China conflict.
What’s going on now: After wrapping up a high-level meeting in Manila, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced they would begin negotiations on an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which would enable the exchange of logistical support—such as fuel, food, and medical supplies—during joint defense exercises and operations. They also confirmed the start of talks on a Security of Information Agreement, aimed at enhancing intelligence-sharing capabilities between their armed forces.
In a statement, Ishiba said, “We affirmed the importance of further strengthening our security cooperation.” Marcos echoed this sentiment, declaring that the Philippines and Japan were now in a “golden age” of relations, and that these new steps would “help us in our common pursuit of peace, security, and prosperity for all.”
Both leaders also reiterated their opposition to coercive actions in disputed maritime areas, with Ishiba emphasizing that they “affirmed our opposition to attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas by force or coercion”—a clear rebuke of China’s assertive behavior in the region.
In addition to defense matters, the two leaders addressed economic concerns, particularly the global repercussions of US tariff policies and the escalating trade conflict between the United States and China. “We discussed the current measures taken by the United States as well as the impact felt on the world economy,” Ishiba said.
