Kishida cites Japan-Phl-US cooperation for SCS underway

Efforts to advance and strengthen trilateral cooperation among Japan, the Philippines, and the United States are underway "to protect freedom of the sea" amid the increasing tension in the South China Sea, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Saturday.

In his draft policy speech at the Joint Session of the Philippine Senate and the House of Representatives, Kishida underscored the need "to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order" based on the rule of law, as well as multilayered cooperation among allies and like-minded countries.

"In September, President Marcos, U.S. Vice President Harris, and I exchanged views for the first time and confirmed to enhance cooperation. In the South China Sea, the trilateral cooperation to protect the freedom of the sea is underway," he told the Filipino senators and representatives.

Kishida likewise cited the participation of Japan's Self-Defense Forces in the joint US-Philippines exercises held last month as well as the Japan Coast Guard's participation in a trilateral maritime exercise with the Philippine Coast Guard and the US Coast Guard held in Mariveles, Bataan from 4 to 7 June.

"The trilateral maritime exercise was the first of its kind between the three countries' coast guards," he said, noting that such trilateral exercises are vital to protecting maritime order "which is governed by laws and rules, not by force."

Earlier in June, the National Security Council announced that the Philippines, Japan, and the US have jointly committed to improving their trilateral relations and cooperation on national security efforts as well as keeping an alliance "to maintain peace and stability" in the Indo-Pacific region.

Promoting free, open Indo-Pacific

Further, Kishida presented the last pillar of Japan's new plan for a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" that includes "extending efforts for security and safe use of the sea to the air."

"Underlying this plan is our determination to lead the international community toward cooperation rather than division and confrontation, and to defend freedom and the rule of law at all costs," he said.

Kishida said providing 12 ships for the PCG is part of Japan's intervention to help the Philippines improve its maritime security capability.

Last month, a Japanese firm delivered a warning and control radar to the Philippine Air Force "in order to improve Air Domain Awareness," he added.

Kishida reiterated that the Japanese government is set to provide coastal surveillance radars to the Philippine Navy, which serve as the first cooperation project in the world under Japan's newly established Official Security Assistance this year.

"Japan will continue to contribute to the enhancement of the Philippines' security capabilities, thereby contributing to regional peace and stability," Kishida emphasized.

Phl-Japan economic, investment ties

During the joint session, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri underscored "the strong, dynamic and lasting partnership between Japan and the Philippines" with both countries sharing universal values of freedom and democracy.

"Japan is one of the closest friends of the Philippines today in terms of Overseas Development Assistance, Japan is the highest contributor and has the highest number of companies in the country," he said.

"In other words, they are one of our contributors to our high growth rate in the Philippines. And, to show our appreciation for this historic visit, we had asked Prime Minister Kishida to address both Houses of Congress in a joint session," Zubiri said.

On his part, Kishida acknowledged that Japan is one of the largest investors in the Philippines on a private-sector basis.

He bared that public-private partnerships and investments in companies that contribute to decarbonization are also underway.

"The public and private sectors are eagerly working together to support the economic growth of the Philippines," the Japanese Prime Minister said.

Robust, future-oriented Phl-Japan ties

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hopes that a strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines will become "robust and future-oriented."

Marcos reaffirmed the Philippine government's commitment to sustaining its robust bilateral relationship with the Japanese government during a state banquet for Kishida at the Malacañan Palace on Friday.

The President also underscored that the 67-year-old Philippines-Japan relations "have been cultivated by common principles of democracy, respect for basic human rights, and the rule of law."

Marcos added that the enduring friendship between the two countries has been "fostering the realm of freedom, prosperity, and security together in the Indo-Pacific region."