PH, Japan, and US discuss regional maritime issues in Tokyo

Crew members using binoculars on the bridge of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer “JS Ise” during a three-day maritime exercise between the US and Japan in the Philippine Sea on January 31, 2024. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — The governments of the Philippines, Japan, and the United States convened a trilateral maritime dialogue in Tokyo on December 10 and discussed strategic perspectives on regional maritime issues as an outcome of the first-ever trilateral summit held last April 2024.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippine delegation was headed by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and Asean Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, joined by senior officials of the Department of National Defense, National Security Council, Philippine Coast Guard, and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“The three sides had open and dynamic discussions on strategic perspectives on regional maritime issues, institutionalizing trilateral cooperation, and future policy plans, among others,” said the DFA.

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“They emphasized that the trilateral maritime dialogue will serve as a durable foundation for coordination and cooperation in addressing challenges and complexities of the regional maritime landscape,” it added.

The DFA dubbed the dialogue as a “significant milestone” in demonstrating the “deepening cooperation” of the Philippines, Japan, and the US on maritime concerns, as well as their enduring commitment to uphold a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific through the rules-based international order that adheres to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

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“At the conclusion of the dialogue, Undersecretary Lazaro announced the Philippines’ willingness to host the Second Trilateral Maritime Dialogue in 2025,” said the DFA.