Japan, Philippines Reaffirm Defense Ties

[Ayoshi]

Palace sees more Japanese military aid to PH [abs-cbnnews] - 7/02/2014

Japan's pacifist constitution has barred the nation from exercising collective self-defense since 1945, keeping its military from fighting abroad.

While Japan cannot be immediately tapped to defend the Philippines in case of an attack, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the assistance can come in terms of equipment.

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The Emerging Japan-Philippines Security Partnership | The Diplomat - June 06, 2015

On the part of Japan, the evolution of its relationship with the Philippines is a critical component of its “proactive contribution for peace based on international cooperation” strategy. Since Tokyo established diplomatic relations with Manila in 1956, the Philippines has been the recipient of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) and other grass-roots assistance. Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) have rushed to help the Philippines whenever it has become the victim of a natural disaster, such as after the Haiyan Typhoon in 2013.

Aquino and Japanese Emperor Akihito
Image Credit: Photo by Jay Morales / Malacañang Photo Bureau

Tokyo, Manila to agree framework for Japanese military aid: sources | interaksyon - November 16, 2015

The deal will mark the first time Japan has agreed to directly donate military equipment to another country, and is the latest example of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's more muscular security agenda.

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Bombo Radyo - May 2016

Ayon sa Japan Defense Ministry, naisapinal ang kasunduan sa pag-uusap kahapon nina Defense Minister Gen Nakatani at Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.
 
Sa ilalim ng kasunduan, rerentahan ng Pilipinas ang limang TC-90 training planes ng Japan.
 
Tutulong din ang Japan sa pagsasanay ng mga piloto at aircraft mechanics.

[Ayoshi]

Japan-Philippines Defense Relations under Duterte: Full Steam Ahead? | The Diplomat - September 30, 2016

On September 21, the Philippines and Japan convened the fourth iteration of their vice ministerial defense dialogue. The talks saw both countries discuss proposals to deepen their defense relationship despite lingering uncertainty about the future direction of Philippine foreign policy under its new president, Rodrigo Duterte (See: “The Trouble With The Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte”).

As I have noted in previous pieces, while much of the attention on Philippine defense engagements is understandably focused on the United States, a treaty ally, Manila has also increasingly been cultivating other security partners as well, including Australia and Japan. Philippine-Japan security ties in particular had been strengthening significantly under former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, in part due to common concerns about China’s growing assertiveness in the East China Sea and the South China Sea (See: “Japan, Philippines Declare Strengthened Strategic Partnership”).

In March, the two countries signed a landmark agreement on defense equipment and technology transfer, making the Philippines just the fourth country Japan has ever inked such a pact with and paving the way for more defense-related developments. Tokyo has also agreed to provide Manila with patrol vessels and maritime surveillance aircraft. Amidst this backdrop, Tokyo and Manila created the vice ministerial talks back in 2013 to complement their increasingly regularized defense ministerial meetings as well as annual defense talks at the level of assistant secretary/director general, with the first of these being held in January 2014.

Image Credit: Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[Ayoshi]

Japan, Philippines look to expand defence trade | IHS Jane's 360 - 15 August 2017

Japan is looking to transfer a wide range of Bell UH-1H helicopter spare parts to the Philippines, Jane’s has learnt. The move is the latest effort by Tokyo to export defence equipment following its lifting of a military sales ban in 2014.

Under a request submitted by Manila, about 40,000 UH-1H spare parts would be sourced from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), which operates more than 200 of the helicopter type. The Philippine Army is understood to urgently require the spare parts in support of its ongoing conflict against Islamic State-linked insurgents in Marawi City.

[Ayoshi]

http://defenseph.net/drp/index.php?topic=3120.msg9982#msg9982

Japan is studying requests by Southeast Asian countries to donate military equipment | Janes - 09 March 2018

Two of the airframes have been delivered to the Philippine Navy, while three other aircraft are currently scheduled for handover in 2018. The JMSDF is also providing training support on the TC-90 platform for Philippine Navy pilots and maintenance crew.

To strengthen its defence relationships with countries in Southeast Asia, the Japanese government has embarked on several initiatives to improve maritime of government agencies in the region in recent years, especially with those from the Philippines.

[adroth]

How Japan has been helping the Philippine Coast Guard. To include the Multi-Role Response Vessels came to be

http://defenseph.net/drp/index.php?topic=2975.0

[Ayoshi]

Japan pursues additional exports to the Philippines | Janes - 13 December 2018

The export effort is largely focused on opportunities for sales of maritime security equipment including the J/FPS-3 air defence radar produced by the Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

Since Japan lifted its ban on international military sales in 2014, it has exported to the Philippines equipment including thousands of spare parts for Bell UH-1H helicopters, five Beechcraft TC-90 King Air trainer aircraft to the Philippine Navy, and 10 multirole response vessels to the Philippine Coast Guard.

See also: PN ship to visit Japan for pick-up of Air Force materiel