Marcos to tackle security in meeting with Japanese prime minister

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is looking to discuss strengthened security cooperation, among other things, when he meets with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in his upcoming state visit to Japan. In his roundtable interview with the Japanese media in Malacañang last Monday, Marcos mentioned the cross-servicing agreement sealed by Manila and Tokyo earlier this year— a deal between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) to exchange vital logistical support, and noted wanting a stepped-up cooperation and assistance especially in maintaining maritime order. He pointed out how both countries “experienced the same difficulties in terms of coercive acts” in the South China Sea and a ramped-up dialogue would benefit not just the Philippines but also the whole Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). “I will also bring up to see what it means in terms of further cooperation and assistance, not only to the Philippines but to Asean as well,” Marcos said. “And as Japan and the Philippines have experienced the same difficulties in terms of coercive acts, in terms of different gray zones, shall we say, tactics that are being exercised in the South China Sea and in all of the South China Sea. So, that is something that we will certainly be discussing,” he added. The president likewise mentioned Japan’s participation in the recent Balikatan 2026 exercises, where it deployed over 1,000 combat troops and advanced equipment, including its Type 88 surface-to-ship missiles and large warships. Marcos viewed Japan’s involvement as a “significant development in terms of our continuing cooperation and training our personnel for further and better interoperability.” “This is all in the context of Japan's new posture in terms of defense and security, and that Japan is now allowing itself to participate in those – in such exercises. And that is important because that changes the playing field, as it were. It changes it significantly,” he said. “We would like to hear more about what exactly does Japan intend to do and what they are willing to do. At least I'm sure that it's going to be phased. It's not going to happen in one phase, but I think it will be a phased development of that relationship and with maybe further exercises, further exchanges,” he added.

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