MANILA — In an effort to counter China’s assertiveness in the region, the Philippines and Japan signed an agreement on Thursday that permits the replenishment of fuel and ammunition to each other’s forces.
With both countries forming a security alliance with Washington and Japan providing patrol boats and communications equipment to the Philippines, Tokyo and Manila have greatly strengthened their military ties in recent years.
In the disputed South China Sea, which Beijing claims in almost its wholety despite an international finding that its claim has no legal basis, the Philippines and China have frequently clashed.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated that the new Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement demonstrated that security cooperation between the two nations was “rapidly expanding” during a joint conference on Thursday in Manila.
For the first time, he added, money given to the Philippines under Japan’s Official Security Assistance program—worth over $20 million since 2023—was also going toward infrastructure.
“This is the first infrastructure project under Japan’s OSA program, and we will construct boathouses and slipways for rigid hull inflatable boats,” Motegi stated of the OSA funding.
Manila’s efforts to update its maritime surveillance equipment and patrol boats in the South China Sea have received significant funding from Tokyo.
The new resupply agreement will “enhance our mutual military interoperability and readiness” and build upon the recently inked visiting forces arrangement, according to Philippine Foreign Minister Theresa Lazaro on Thursday.
Japan frequently participates in bilateral and multilateral maritime exercises with the Philippines in the South China Sea. Last year, Japan deployed a contingent to the yearly Balikatan military drills, which are carried out by Philippine and US forces.
The new deal enables Japan to resupply fuel, ammunition, and other logistical needs to the Philippine military during joint exercises and operations. It also facilitates the mutual use of bases and infrastructure, further deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries.
This agreement builds upon the 2019 Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between Japan and the Philippines, which laid the groundwork for closer military collaboration, including joint training and disaster response.
