Japanese officials attended two major international dialogues in Manila this month, emphasizing the importance of the rule of law in the South China Sea (SCS) and highlighting global sustainability goals.

From 5 to 7 November, Ambassador Endo Kazuya and Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Vice Adm. Hiroaki Kanosue, vice commandant for operations, participated as panelists in the Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea 2025.

On 6 November, during a session titled “The South China Sea as ‘Global Commons,’” Endo joined ambassadors from Australia, Canada, France and Germany to discuss the region’s significance and outlook. Endo stated that issues concerning the South China Sea are directly related to regional peace and stability.

He reaffirmed the countries’ duty to preserve stability and ensure a rules-based maritime order consistent with the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea prevails.

On 7 November, Kanosue attended a session on “Maritime Capacity-Building,” alongside Philippine Coast Guard Fleet Commander Rear Adm. Rommel A. Supangan.

Kanosue stressed that maintaining a maritime order based on the rule of law is indispensable for regional and global peace and prosperity. He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific through strengthened international cooperation.

Also, Endo attended a second event, the Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue 2025, held at Shangri-La Makati last 10 November. The event was organized by Stanford University’s Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center and the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future.