Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru visited the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on 30 April, inspecting one of two patrol vessels donated by Japan to the Philippines to boost maritime safety operations.

The visit to the 97-meter BRP "Teresa Magbanua" lasted about 45 minutes and included a briefing on the ship’s operations and capabilities. The vessel was delivered in 2022 through a yen loan project aimed at strengthening the PCG’s capacity for search and rescue, as well as law enforcement in Philippine waters.

Ishiba also observed training exercises led by members of Japan’s Coast Guard Mobile Cooperation Team, which has been working with the PCG to provide technical support and skills training.

Japan’s provision of vessels and continued technical cooperation are part of its broader effort to support maritime security in the region. The Philippines, which faces ongoing challenges in asserting its maritime claims, has increasingly relied on support from defense and development partners like Japan to upgrade its coastal defense and emergency response capabilities.