Why are the Philippines and Japan deepening defence ties now?

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The Philippines and Japan are deepening defence ties due to increasing assertiveness from China and a desire to enhance regional security cooperation.

The Philippines and Japan are set to sign a significant defence pact, a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), to facilitate the deployment of troops for training and operations on each other’s territory. This move signifies a deepening of defence cooperation between the two nations, long-standing allies of the United States, in response to China's growing assertiveness in the region. The agreement provides a crucial legal framework that will enable both countries to strengthen their military interoperability and bolster their respective security partnerships within the existing US alliance network.
Escalating Maritime Confrontations Drive Closer Defence Cooperation

The negotiations for the RAA, which began in November, follow a period of heightened tensions and confrontations at sea involving Chinese and Philippine vessels. These incidents are part of Beijing's broader efforts to assert its claims over nearly the entirety of the South China Sea. A notable clash occurred on June 17, when Chinese coast guard personnel reportedly used bladed weapons during an encounter with Philippine navy boats on a resupply mission to the Second Thomas Shoal, resulting in an injury to a Filipino sailor. Simultaneously, Tokyo and Beijing are engaged in disputes over Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea, further contributing to regional instability.
Reciprocal Access Agreement Enhances Interoperability and Alliance Networks

The RAA is considered a vital instrument for the Philippines to improve its interoperability with like-minded partners, thereby strengthening its overall security posture. This agreement is seen as complementary to the Philippines' ongoing efforts to enhance its security relationships within the framework of the US "hub and spokes" alliance system. This broader US strategy involves reinforcing alliances across the Asia-Pacific region to counterbalance China's expanding military capabilities and influence.
Broader Regional Alliances Aimed at Countering China's Influence

The deepening defence ties between the Philippines and Japan are occurring within a wider context of the United States actively fortifying its alliance network in the Asia-Pacific. This strategic initiative is designed to counter China's growing military power and influence. The first trilateral summit between leaders from Japan, the Philippines, and the United States, held in April in Washington, underscored this objective by focusing on boosting defence cooperation. The Philippines, due to its strategic location in the South China Sea and its proximity to Taiwan, has become a central element in the US strategy to construct a comprehensive arc of alliances. Japan, meanwhile, is also seeking to assume a more prominent role as an independent stabilising force, partly in anticipation of potential shifts in US regional policy.

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Why are the Philippines and Japan deepening defence ties now?

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