Japan-PH ties key to ‘rule of law’ in region–Tokyo envoy

Japanese Ambassador to PH Koshikawa Kazuhiko pays courtesy call on presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Mandaluyong City. During the visit, Marcos says he intends to further strengthen ties and expand areas of cooperation between the two countries. 📸: BBM Media

The Japanese government sees its defense ties with the Philippines getting stronger under President Marcos, according to Tokyo’s top diplomat in Manila, who said “close cooperation among like-minded countries” is crucial to maintain the rule of law in the region amid lingering security and maritime issues.

Without directly mentioning China, Japanese Ambassador to Manila Kazuhiko Koshikawa made several allusions to the Asian giant’s expansionist claims and actions in the East China Sea and South China Sea, in a speech delivered Thursday night at a reception marking the 68th founding anniversary of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).

“Turning our eyes to the South China Sea, is international law really being respected? Neither international law, in particular, the Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), which all relevant parties agreed after years of dialogue and tireless efforts, nor the 2016 award rendered by the arbitral tribunal under the said convention, is being complied with,” Koshikawa said.

‘More testing, uncertain’

“In East China Sea, where Japan is located, we also see the continuation of unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, which is in violation of international law,” he added.

As Japan advocates a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” the diplomat said, “close cooperation among like-minded countries” would be crucial with “regional security environment … becoming more testing and uncertain at a remarkably faster speed.”

“This is why the Philippines is one of our most reliable partners. We are pleased to note that the bilateral relations between Japan and the Philippines have gone to great lengths in a variety of fields, including security and defense cooperation. From rescue and relief operations, to capacity-building activities, as well as knowledge and equipment transfers, Japan stands ready to come to the aid of the Philippines in times of need,” Koshikawa said.

Foreign and defense ministers from both countries met in April to expand defense cooperation amid concerns posed by regional security issues as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It was the first “2+2” meeting between the two United States allies.

‘Trilateral partnership’

Koshikawa said Japan expects more defense engagements with the Philippines as their strategic partnership enters its second decade.

Also speaking at the reception, Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr., whom President Marcos recently appointed officer in charge of the Department of National Defense (DND), said he was pushing for a “trilateral partnership” among the Armed Forces of the Philippines, JSDF and the US Indo-Pacific Command.

“Japan’s support and reliability is specially felt by the Department of National Defense and its service bureaus, particularly the (AFP),” Faustino said.

“The DND has initiated the establishment of the trilateral defense policy dialogue among the defense establishment of the three countries,” he added.

gsg