Japan-Philippines Defense Ministers’ Joint Statement

In light of the increasingly complex security environment in the Indo-Pacific in recent years, the ministers reiterated their strong opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion in the East China Sea and South China Sea. They shared serious concerns that the scale and frequency of China’s coercive activities in the airspace and waters around Japan are increasing, and that China’s dangerous and coercive activities against the Philippines in the South China Sea are continuing and intensifying.

The ministers affirmed the importance of further strengthening relations between the two countries to advance a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and ensure regional peace and stability. They welcomed progress in defense cooperation, both institutionally and operationally, under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The ministers affirmed their intention to deepen cooperation through the transfer of an Abukuma-class escort ship, including cooperation on vessel operations, logistical support, personnel development, and information sharing, and to raise defense cooperation to a new stage, particularly in maritime security. They also confirmed that this would make a significant contribution to coordination with allies and like-minded countries and help ensure regional peace and stability.

The ministers confirmed that the September Joint Cooperation Activity (JCA) further strengthened the contribution of Japan-Philippines cooperation to regional maritime security and resilience.

In May 2026, during Balikatan 26 under the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), the Japan Self-Defense Forces conducted field training, including live firing of a ground-based anti-ship missile. Regarding the Japan-Philippines Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which entered into force in August, procedures between the defense authorities were established. The agreement was applied for the first time during the October Japan-Philippines joint exercise Doushin Bayanihan, when the Philippine Air Force provided supplies to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The ministers confirmed that these efforts strengthened defense ties.

The ministers agreed that establishing a foundation for information sharing, including institutional arrangements, is urgent to further strengthen operational coordination. They confirmed that the defense authorities would provide maximum cooperation in intergovernmental negotiations on an agreement to protect military information. They also welcomed progress on concrete discussions in the working group established in May 2026.

Based on the working group’s discussions, the ministers will continue consultations with the aim of transferring the first Abukuma-class escort ship as soon as possible after its decommissioning, expected within the next few years. The Japanese side will support education and training for the Philippine Navy before the transfer, and the defense authorities agreed to coordinate maintenance between the two countries. The two governments will make the necessary arrangements.

The ministers agreed that the working group would discuss details of operational and maintenance cooperation to transfer one TC-90 aircraft to the Philippines in fiscal year 2027. They will also accelerate discussions in the group on defense equipment and technology cooperation, including strengthening the production base for defense equipment.

The ministers confirmed that they would strengthen multilateral defense cooperation, including among Japan, the United States, Australia, and the Philippines and through ASEAN, in addition to bilateral cooperation. In the fifth-cycle ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security, co-chaired by Japan and the Philippines, they hosted a tabletop exercise in Tokyo in March 2026. Building on its outcomes, they conducted a JCA in September with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the Philippine Navy, and ADMM-Plus participating countries, and confirmed the significance of its successful completion.