THE Philippines and Japan are advancing their partnership with key initiatives in cultural exchange, defense and cybersecurity, reflecting their commitment to mutual growth and resilience.
The two countries have normalized their diplomatic relations on July 23, 1956. Since then, the Philippines and Japan have developed a robust and multifaceted partnership.
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano says: "Friendship is a constant work in progress that involves ongoing efforts to understand and discover new aspects of each other's cultures. Filipinologists and Philippine studies scholars help bridge gaps and build a deeper, more nuanced understanding between our two nations."
In celebration of Philippines-Japan Friendship Day, the Philippine Embassy in Japan and Sentro Rizal – Tokyo will host an event, titled "A forum on the role of Filipinologists and Philippine studies in deepening mutual understanding," at Azabu Civic Center in Minato City, Tokyo on July 29, 2024.
This significant event aims to deepen cultural and academic exchanges between the two nations by showcasing the contributions of Filipinologists and experts in Philippine studies.
The forum will feature discussions with prominent scholars in the field, including Takushi Ohno, chairman of the University of the Philippines (UP) Alumni Association – Japan Chapter; Wataru Kusaka, professor at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies; and Yoshiko Nagano, professor emeritus at Kanagawa University.
These experts will explore various aspects of Philippine society, culture, history and contemporary issues, reflecting the diverse and multifaceted nature of Philippine studies.
Philippine studies play a crucial role in shedding light on the complex dimensions of Philippine life and culture. Through research, publications and advocacy, these scholars help shape narratives, challenge stereotypes and promote intercultural dialogue.
The forum will also include a performance by the UP Los Baños Choral Ensemble, renowned for its diverse repertoire. The ensemble will present classical and contemporary masterpieces alongside popular and folk music from around the world, adding a cultural dimension to the discussions and further celebrating the deep-rooted connections between the Philippines and Japan.
The Philippines and Japan's relationship has expanded significantly over the decades, culminating in the establishment of a Strategic Partnership in 2011. Recent high-level exchanges underscore the strengthening ties between the two countries, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visiting Tokyo in February and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visiting Manila in November.
PH, Japan sign RAA to boost defense cooperation
A notable milestone in the two countries' defense cooperation is the signing of the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA). This agreement, signed on July 8, 2024, allows Filipino soldiers to participate in joint combat training with their Japanese counterparts, marking a significant enhancement in defense collaboration.
The agreement has been signed by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko during a courtesy call with President Marcos, who had witnessed the signing ceremony. The RAA is Japan's first defense pact in Asia and reflects a deepening of the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Kamikawa is accompanied by Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru.
President Marcos expresses his enthusiasm for the agreement, noting, "Your presence here increases our confidence in the importance of these agreements. I'm very glad that we have come to this day."
He has warmly welcomed the Japanese officials, recognizing their efforts in bringing the agreement to fruition.
The RAA, which will take effect after ratification by both countries' legislatures, highlights a commitment made during the inaugural Philippines-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (2+2) in April 2022.
The agreement has been reaffirmed during President Marcos' official visit to Japan in February 2023. The initial negotiations for the RAA have begun during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to the Philippines in November 2022 with formal negotiations in Tokyo on Nov. 29 to 30, 2023. This development follows Japan's provision of official security assistance to the Philippines, signed on Nov. 3, 2023.
President Marcos has participated in a Trilateral Summit with United States (US) President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Kishida in April. The summit reaffirms the shared commitment to a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific, guided by democratic values and the rule of law. This commitment underscores the growing strategic alignment between the Philippines, Japan and the US, reflecting a shared vision for regional stability and security.
President Biden says: "[This is the first] leaders' summit between the United States, Japan and the Philippines. It's truly an honor to have you both here as we begin this new era of a partnership. As you've heard me say before, a great deal of history in our world will be written in the Indo-Pacific over the coming years, and the three as the three allies, three steadfast partners and three proud democracies, representing a half a billion people. And, today, we commit to writing that story and a future together, to building an Indo-Pacific that is free, open, prosperous and secure for all."
Disaster preparedness
Disaster preparedness and maritime security are critical areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Japan, given their respective vulnerabilities to natural disasters and regional maritime challenges.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) have signed a record of discussions for a new technical cooperation project, titled "Capacity development for monitoring and information dissemination of earthquake, tsunami and volcano."
This project aims to enhance the Philippines' disaster response capabilities in the face of significant risks such as those posed by the West Valley Fault. The West Valley Fault, which runs through highly populated areas in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, poses a serious risk of devastating earthquakes.
According to a Risk Analysis Report by Phivolcs and UP Diliman, such an event can result in substantial casualties and economic losses. Recognizing these risks, the new cooperation aims to bolster the capacity of Phivolcs and other disaster management authorities to respond effectively to earthquake, tsunami and volcano information.
JICA Chief Representative Takema Sakamoto emphasizes the importance of this collaboration, stating: "We cannot underestimate the risks in this context, which directly affect economic losses and, more importantly, invaluable human lives. Therefore, JICA decided to further cooperate to enhance Phivolcs' capability in providing fast, accurate and timely earthquake information, tsunami warnings and advisories."
With the signing of a record of discussions, it is expected that this new project will be launched at the timing of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Manila on Oct. 14 to 17, 2024, which will be hosted by the Philippine government.
The project will also involve training in Japan to strengthen Phivolcs' technical skills in operating and maintaining monitoring equipment for disasters. This initiative is part of JICA's broader official development assistance to the Philippines, which includes both technical support and infrastructure development to enhance disaster resilience.
By improving disaster response capabilities, JICA aims to contribute to the Philippines' efforts to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and strengthen its overall resilience.
Economic collaboration and trade initiatives
Economic collaboration between the Philippines and Japan has been a cornerstone of their relationship with numerous initiatives, aimed at fostering trade and investment.
Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual has met Japanese Minister Saito Ken on the sidelines of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity Ministerial Meeting recently. The meeting has focused on exploring opportunities for enhanced bilateral cooperation, particularly in clean energy, trade and investment.
"Building on the successful trilateral meeting with the US and Japan, we are eyeing more opportunities to strengthen our existing bilateral trade and economic partnership with Japan," Pascual says.
This highlights the commitment to deepening economic ties and leveraging joint initiatives to drive mutual growth and development. Japan has expressed interest in participating in a waste-to-energy project in the Philippines, reflecting a broader commitment to supporting green transition efforts.
This initiative aligns with the goals of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, which includes Japan's support for the development of the Luzon Economic Corridor. This project is expected to boost growth in key sectors such as electronics, semiconductors and clean energy, contributing to a sustainable economic development in the Philippines.