Japan committed in helping PHL, 2 others in curbing piracy

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 14): Japan committed in helping PHL, 2 others in curbing piracy

Japan has expressed its commitment to contribute in the efforts of the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia to curb down piracy and kidnapping in the common maritime areas of the three nations.

This was expressed by Japan Vice Minister for International Affairs Ro Manabe during the 5th Philippine-Japan Vice Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo last Feb. 10.

Representing the Philippine side was Defense Undersecretary for Defense Policy Ricardo David Jr.

In the meeting, Matanabe assured the Philippines of Japan's support for its ASEAN chairmanship this year and reiterated Japan's intention to promote defense cooperation with other ASEAN member states.

He added that Japan is ready to pursue deeper defense cooperation with the Philippines through exchanges and defense equipment transfer.

Meanwhile, David acknowledged Japan's contribution to the capability upgrade of Philippine defense forces specifically the lease of 5 TC-90 aircraft for maritime surveillance, the first two to be delivered in late March.

Japan likewise provides capacity building assistance particularly in the area of humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

The robustness of Philippine-Japan defense is manifested through the increasing exchanges between the two defense ministries as well as service-to-service interactions.

As Japan is interested to undertake exercises with the Philippines, David stressed the need for the two countries to conclude a status of visiting forces agreement.

Prior to the meeting, the Japanese side briefed the Philippine delegation of the latest developments in the South China Sea which Japan has monitored, assuring the Philippines that Tokyo will continue to share with Manila timely information specifically violations of the rule of law, in reference to the decision issued by Permanent Court of Arbitration in July last year.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=963875