Japan has expressed serious concern over escalating tensions in the South China Sea, strongly opposing any unilateral efforts to alter the region’s status quo.
During his visit to the Philippines, Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to providing development and security assistance to Manila, while also strengthening maritime security cooperation. He stressed that a trilateral mechanism involving the United States will expand under the new U.S. administration.
At a press conference following his meeting with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo in Taguig City on January 15, Iwaya conveyed Japan’s “grave concerns” over repeated actions that escalate tensions in the South China Sea. He emphasized that the issue’s global importance directly affects regional peace and stability.
“I am gravely concerned that actions heightening tension in the South China Sea are being repeated. The issue over the South China Sea is a legitimate concern for the international community because it directly links to regional peace and stability,” he said.
Under the Marcos administration, security relations between the Philippines and Japan have deepened significantly as both countries address shared maritime concerns, particularly China’s assertiveness in the region.
“Japan strongly opposes any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force or build up tension in the region; we strongly ask for the easing of tensions,” Iwaya said in response to a question about China’s actions in the South China Sea.
Iwaya assured the Philippines that Japan would continue supporting the country in strengthening its maritime security and safety capabilities.
For his part, Manalo reinforced the shared commitment of both nations to uphold international law and a rules-based framework in the South China Sea, highlighting the Philippines’ peaceful pursuit of its rights under the 2016 Arbitral Ruling, which invalidated China’s claims.
“Japan deeply values the stance of the Government of the Philippines for consistently adhering to the Arbitral Tribunal ruling regarding the dispute with China and for pursuing a peaceful resolution to this dilemma,” Iwaya said.
The two officials agreed to continue strengthening the Japan-Philippines partnership. Iwaya confirmed that Japan would sustain its official security assistance and official development assistance to improve Philippine maritime security, including a P611 million (US$10.44 million) grant to enhance the Philippine Navy and Air Force.
Amid an increasingly complex strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific, Iwaya stressed the importance of Japan’s partnership with the Philippines. “As the international situation becomes ever more complex, it is increasingly important to work in partnership with Southeast Asia, which is strategically located for maritime transport as well as being the world’s growth center,” he said.
Iwaya and Manalo also agreed to continue strengthening momentum in the Philippine-Japan-U.S. trilateral cooperation, which will expand under the new U.S. administration.
“We both express concern over developments in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, and as neighbors, we face similar challenges in our common pursuit of regional peace and stability,” Manalo said, adding that their goal is to enhance resilience and adaptability in response to an evolving geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific region.
Beyond security, Manalo expressed Manila’s interest in further strengthening trade and investment ties with Japan, as well as cooperation in ICT, economic resilience, telecommunications diversification, and possibly reviewing the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo (right) and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi held bilateral talks on January 15 in Manila to discuss the Philippines-Japan strategic partnership.
Japanese and Filipino officials at the bilateral meeting.
During a courtesy call on President Marcos at Malacañan Palace, Iwaya sought continued Philippine support for deeper cooperation on security and other Indo-Pacific challenges. “In today’s international community where divisions and conflicts are becoming more serious, the cooperation of like-minded countries is becoming increasingly important,” Iwaya told Marcos.
In their trilateral call on January 12, Marcos, U.S. President Biden, and Prime Minister Ishiba reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation on maritime security, economic resilience, and technology. The Philippine president emphasized the importance of continuing these discussions to strengthen the tripartite agreement.
“We were able, during our zoom meeting with President Biden and your Prime Minister, to once again reiterate our commitment to the tripartite agreement, and to the elements within the agreement,” Marcos said.
China claims much of the South China Sea, a vital trade route for Northeast Asia. The Philippines, along with Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam, also asserts territorial rights in the area.
In recent years, the Philippines has faced regular maritime confrontations with China, particularly over disputed areas within its exclusive economic zone.
Manalo affirmed that Japan and the Philippines remain committed to working together with the U.S. to address these regional challenges. “This is an issue that we will continue to discuss with the U.S.,” he said.
In recent years, Japan has played a larger role in Southeast Asia, providing security assistance and defense equipment to the Philippines and other regional partners.
Japan’s strategic partnership with the Philippines has also been reinforced by the Reciprocal Access Agreement, allowing joint military training between both nations in each other’s territories.
All photos credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Top photo: Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (left) during a courtesy call on January 15 at Malacañan Palace in Manila.
