The Japanese government said it “strongly expects” to strengthen defense cooperation with the Philippines under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to achieve a “free and open” Indo-Pacific.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko said the regional security environment has become “more testing and uncertain at a remarkably faster speed”.

“Japan has reinforced our commitments to peace and stability of the region in order to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he said in a speech during a reception for the 68th anniversary of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).

“[W]hat is important is close cooperation among like-minded countries bonded by such universal values and principles as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. This is why the Philippines is one of our most reliable partners,” he added.

The envoy cited activities in the South China Sea, which he described as disrespect to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“Turning our eyes to the South China Sea, is international law really being respected? Neither international law, in particular the UNCLOS, to which all relevant parties agreed after years of dialogue and tireless efforts, nor the 2016 award rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal under the said Convention, is being complied with,” he said.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in his May 2022 telephone call with Marcos, sought “close coordination” with the Philippines for the realization of a free Indo-Pacific.

Apart from defense, the two countries also have a close relationship in diplomacy, economy, and culture.

Japan is the top Official Development Assistance partner of the Philippines in several areas such as infrastructure, maritime law enforcement, disaster prevention, health, agriculture, education, human resource development, space development, Mindanao Peace Process, Marawi reconstruction, and grassroots projects, among others.

“(The JSDF anniversary celebration) is a salute to the golden age of our strategic partnership,” Koshikawa said.

“I am convinced that this partnership continues to be successful with the new President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration, and my sincere appreciation goes to all of those who have contributed and worked hard to get us where we are now,” he added. (PNA)