The Yomiuri Shimbun The Foreign Ministry announced Monday that the Japanese and Philippine governments have signed an accord for the transfer of defense equipment and related technologies.
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“Let me stress that what underpins this agreement is not only our desire to enhance our respective defense capabilities but also to contribute to regional peace and stability”, said Filipino Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, adding the agreement would also include technology supplies and joint development projects.
In April 2014, when Japan adopted the “Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment Technology”, various discussions were held regarding the defense equipment cooperation between the two countries. Ahead of the agreement signing Saturday Gazmin said, “It’s not directed against any country”.
Just like the Philippines, which is facing a major challenge over China’s maritime claim in the West Philippine Sea, Japan is also embroiled in a territorial row with China over a group of islands in the East China Sea.
The Philippines’ security aspirations dovetail with Japan’s nascent steps to be a larger security presence in the region, where memories remain of its brutal World War II invasions.
“They haven’t offered what we can buy”, said Mr Gazmin. Japan, which retains restrictions on arms exports under its pacifist constitution, must sign an accord with each country with whom it plans to cooperate on defense equipment. Its military can now defend its allies even when the country isn’t under attack and work more closely with other nations.
According to a senior Philippine security official interviewed by AP, the agreement “opens the door to a lot of opportunities beyond the confines of mere equipment transfer or sale”. “There needs to be a wish list”.
Tokyo has signed similar pacts with the United States and Australia in the past, but the Philippines deal marks the first occasion that Tokyo has forged such a tie with a Southeast Asian country.
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Beijing has said it harbors no hegemonic intent, insisting that it has the right to build in what it says has been Chinese territory since ancient times.
