The Philippine perspective on the security partnership with Japan (original) (raw)
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The Philippines Japan Security Relationship: A New Golden Age?
Fulcrum Commentary ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, 2023
While Japanese PM Kishida’s recent visit to Manila points to the upward momentum of the Japan-Philippines Strategic Partnership, it will also be a litmus test of Japan’s strategic goals in the rest of Southeast Asia. https://fulcrum.sg/the-philippines-japan-security-relationship-a-new-golden-age/
Security Pursuits of a Small Power: The Philippines-Japan Strategic Partnership
Asian Studies: Journal of Critical Perspectives on Asia, 2022
The administration of former Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III pursued a policy of "lay[ing] the groundwork for a potential web of interlocking strategic partnerships" (Philippine NSC 2011, 29), essentially "expand[ing]… defense and security engagements" (Del Rosario 2013a) with other countries apart from the United States. The Aquino government broadened relations with other nations, including Japan, the country's first strategic partner. This study aims to determine the conditions under which small powers undertake strategic partnerships. Focusing on the Philippines-Japan strategic partnership, this study argues that the said partnership is driven by the need to support the current international order, promote capacity-building, and enhance the existing multilateral architecture.
Asian Politics & Policy, 2017
The Joint Statements and declarations on the establishment, promotion, and strengthening of strategic partnership by the leaders of Japan and the Philippines since 2011 indicate an ardent desire toward making security and defense cooperation a salient feature of their 21st century bilateral relationship. Scholars would point to the “China factor” as a convenient reason to explain the strategic trajectory of this evolving relationship. While this study does not discount the “China factor” as a motivating force behind this change, it asserts that both nations were able to extend their partnership into the security realm because of some enabling domestic factors. Nonetheless, a Duterte Presidency may seriously derail this effort.
NDCP Executive Policy Brief, 2017
This paper aims to discuss how the Philippines-Japan Strategic Partnership strengthens Manila’s maritime security posture in the SCS. In particular, this article seeks to address the following questions: (1) What is a strategic partnership?; (2) Why is there a strategic imperative for the Philippines and Japan to forge such a partnership?; and (3) How does the PJSPD bolster Manila’s maritime capabilities? Using the strategic partnership framework developed by Thomas Wilkins, this paper argues that Manila and Tokyo forged a strategic partnership largely because of their shared concern over the uncertainty in the regional security environment caused by China’s rise, as manifested by its increasing assertiveness in the SCS. In this context, the Philippines-Japan Strategic Partnership’s objective of promoting peace and stability in the SCS is operationalized by strengthening Manila’s maritime security posture through: 1) enhancing maritime domain awareness; 2) conducting bilateral capacity-building initiatives; and 3) coordinating measures in managing tensions at the multilateral level. http://www.ndcp.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/publications/3.%20EPB%20re%20PH-Japan\_v11.pdf
This study aimed to examine the possible strategic partnership of the Philippines and Japan in managing the assertive Chinese hegemony in the East Asia. It also delved into the circumstances and the instances that will possibly give to the establishment of Manila–Tokyo alliance in order to form a shared interests that will counter China‘s dominance. The paper focused on regional partnership tackling political, economic, security and defense issues in the Maritime Asia. It included circumstances of a Manila-Tokyo alliance, on how it could be formed by peering through the historical records of the already pre-existing diplomacy among the two nations with their corresponding implications. The researchers utilized the descriptive-historical approach, qualitative method, and interviews in gathering data. The study found that there is a historical basis of strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines. Numerous treaties and agreements have given way to establish the so called strategic partnership through economic cooperation, delivery of Official Development Assistance, and trade. The strategic partnership does not only revolve around military but also emphasized the economic, social, diplomatic, and political aspects to solidify it in countering Chinese hegemony in the region effectively. The researchers concluded that the strategic partnership countered Chinese hegemony in terms of economic, defense and security and diplomacy and politics. More notably, the researchers were able to justify the formation of an alliances with Japan. The paper recommends that the situation in South China Sea must not be taken for granted.
Abstract: The Philippines and Japan have evolved a security partnership in the face of China’s maritime expansion in the South and East China Seas. The two countries pursue this security partnership through regular bilateral consultations among Philippine and Japanese heads of states, political leaders, defense ministry officials, and high-ranking military officers; joint naval exercises; and exploratory discussions for arms transfers and negotiations for a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between Japan and the Philippines. Initially, Article 9 of Japan’s 1947 Constitution hindered this security partnership. However, a recent reinterpretation of the pacifist constitution now allows Japan a collective self-defense “particularly to export arms to its allies and security partners and to deploy the JSDF overseas when necessary. Now, the challenge for Japan and the Philippines is to ensure the viability of their security partnership in the light of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s efforts to improve his country’s relations with China.
Korean Journal of Defense Analysis, 2019
This article explores the efforts of Japan and Australia to enhance the naval capability of third countries—specifically the Philippines—threatened by the rise of China. Considered as middle powers, both countries are members of two associations of maritime democracies, namely: the Democratic Security Diamond (DSD), and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD). Since the formation of their special strategic partnership, Japan and Australia have jointly assisted in building up the capabilities of the Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Philippine Air Force (PAF). The recent dramatic shift in Philippine foreign policy direction fosters this triangular security relationship. On the one hand, President Rodrigo Duterte, in distancing the Philippines from the United States (the country’s traditional ally) favors closer security ties with Japan and Australia. On the other hand, Japan and Australia want to prevent the Philippines from gravitating closer to China’s orbit of influence and power. Gradually, however, this development can either modify or erode the American hub-and-spoke system of alliance in East Asia and increase the spoke-to-spoke links leading to the creation of minilateral and plurilateral security arrangements in the Indo–Pacific regio