STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP | PH, Japan agree to elevate defense ties

From InterAksyon (Jan 31): STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP | PH, Japan agree to elevate defense ties

Japan takes a step forward in playing a more active role in the defense modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as both countries agreed to elevate their defense ties to a "strategic partnership."

The heightened defense cooperation between the two Asian neighbors comes a few days before the Philippines marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle for Manila, a month-long campaign for liberation by US forces driving out Japanese Army forces from the capital city in the final leg of the over three-year Japanese occupation during World War II.

Over 100,000 Filipino civilians died from the combination of bombardment of the entire city by American air assets; and, on the ground, by the torching of entire communities by retreating Japanese forces, who killed and raped Filipinos as they exited.

In recent years, Washington and Tokyo representatives have stood alongside Philippine officials in commemorations of the 1942 Fall of Bataan and Corregidor to Japanese invaders, in a sign of increasing cooperation among three countries that were once bitter enemies in World War II.

Japan and the Philippines have in recent years both engaged China in two maritime territory disputes: Japan in the East China Sea and the Philippines, in the South China Sea.

Department of National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani have signed a defense cooperation and exchange agreement that now covers equipment and defense technology.

In a joint statement, the two defense ministers said they "shared views to elevate bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges to a new phase based on the Strategic Partnership between Japan and the Philippines."

The Strategic Partnership covers capacity building, Human Assistance and Disaster Response Relief training, maritime security and "exploring a new possibility of cooperation in defense equipment and technology."

Two key features of the Strategic Partnership agreement are:

1. Japan's Defense Ministry and Japan Self Defense Forces (JSDF) will carry out a "capacity building project" for the Philippine military, primarily on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response. Expected to benefit from this is the Philippine Air Force, as Japan will carry out "capacity building assistance in the area of air transportation."
2. The Philippines and Japan will start working level discussions on possible cooperation on defense equipment and technology.

The Philippine–Japan Strategic Partnership is considered significant as both countries are currently embroiled in maritime territory disputes with China: China has encroached and occupied several islands and shoals in the Philippine zone of the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippines Sea. Japan is engaged in a tense dispute with China over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea – where Japanese and Chinese warplanes have already engaged in stand offs.

The territorial disputes figured prominently in the Friday meeting between Gazmin and Nakatani in Tokyo, "both ministers shared the view that any dispute should be settled peacefully, without the use of force or coercion, and in accordance with international law."

"They also reaffirmed the importance of the freedom of navigation and overflight in high seas," the joint statement said.

The Philippines gave tacit support for Tokyo's intention to allow its military to play a more active role in the international arena. "Secretary Gazmin welcomed Japan's efforts to actively contribute to the peace and stability of the world together with the international community," the statement said.

Japan's constitution limits its military to a self defense role and is banned from sending its forces abroad.

Under the Philippine–Japan Strategic Partnership, Manila and Tokyo will hold more regular military meetings, including visits by senior military officials and cross-training opportunities among the various services. Most notable of these are the increased exchanges concerning air defense, maritime security and amphibious operations.

A joint staff from the Philippine Armed Forces' General Headquarters and the Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF) will be created to oversee the exchange programs.

The joint programs eyed include:

• Multi-layered exchange between the Philippine Army and Marine Corps and the JSDF
• The Philippine and Japanese navies will hold more bilateral naval training, known as Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES)
• The Philippine Air Force will take part in Japan-US-Australia joint air force exercises, codenamed Cope North Guam.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/104128/strategic-partnership--ph-japan-agree-to-elevate-defense-ties