Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila on Tuesday to enhance security and economic ties, as both nations respond to growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
During his first official visit to the Philippines since taking office in 2024, Ishiba was welcomed with full military honours at the presidential palace. Talks focused on strengthening defence ties under the “Strengthened Strategic Partnership,” with particular emphasis on finalizing the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA).
The RAA—already ratified by the Philippines but still under review in Japan—will allow mutual troop deployments and smoother joint training and humanitarian operations.
Calling the pact a “cornerstone of cooperation,” Ishiba reaffirmed Japan’s support for a free and open Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order, amid rising concerns over China’s actions in the South China Sea and tensions around Taiwan.
Japan, while not a claimant in the South China Sea, faces its own territorial disputes with China in the East China Sea and has significantly ramped up its military capabilities since 2023.
The visit coincided with ongoing trilateral military exercises involving Japanese, Philippine, and U.S. forces—signalling deepening regional defence ties.
In a local newspaper editorial, Ishiba highlighted the growing importance of partnerships with the U.S. and allies like the Philippines in the face of regional security threats.
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