Will Japan's ‘near alliance' with the Philippines fuel China's suspicions?
Japan 's view that its ties with the Philippines are at a 'near-alliance status' has been welcomed as a sign of the commitment by both countries to tackle their perceived common threats, even as analysts warn that any formalisation towards deeper security cooperation could worsen regional tensions.
Speaking in Tokyo on May 28, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya hailed the close partnership in the presence of Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.
Iwaya and Manalo discussed strengthening defence cooperation, including a prospective agreement for Japan and the Philippines to share classified information, according to a statement released by the Japanese embassy in Manila.
They discussed the progress of the implementation of the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), a pact signed in July last year aimed at enhancing maritime security in the
South China Sea amid
China 's growing assertiveness in the disputed waters.
The RAA allows the deployment of Japanese and Philippine forces for joint military drills in each other's territory. Both countries have also started talks on boosting economic collaboration and supply chain resiliency and working towards such an agreement.
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