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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Japanese defense minister's visit in Manila to boost PH-Japan defense ties—Marcos

Japanese defense minister's visit in Manila to boost PH-Japan defense ties—Marcos

Published Feb 24, 2025 11:13 am

The ongoing visit of Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen will further strengthen the defense cooperation between Manila and Tokyo in the face of regional changes, President Marcos said.

BBM Nakatani Gen.jpg
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. meets with Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen during a courtesy call at Malacañan on Feb. 24, 2025.  (Photo courtesy of PPA/ Yummie Dingding)

“I hope that with the many changes that are occurring in our region, that your visit will – we will be able to discuss some of those anticipated changes that we are looking at in view of strengthening our relations between Japan and the Philippines,” Marcos told the Japanese defense minister, who paid him a courtesy call in Malacañan Palace on Monday, Feb. 24.

The President said the several decades of collaboration between Manila and Tokyo will help the two countries “find many common grounds” in furthering their relations.

As a response, the Japanese official said the two countries have been making “great developments” in the areas of defense cooperation and security cooperation.”

During his three-day stay, Nakatani said he visited Basa Air Base and Wallace Air Station, and met with Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

“I was able to observe with my eyes the air surveillance radar system which was transferred by the Japanese government,” he said.

Japan is one of the Philippines’ four strategic partners. The two countries have 264 bilateral agreements, including the transfer of defense equipment and technology, infrastructure, and on Mindanao development.

Since 2023, the Philippines has been one of the first recipients of Japan's Official Security Assistance (OSA) and the only country that Japan selected for grant aid in two consecutive years.

OSA is a grant aid cooperation framework that provides development assistance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and related organizations for the purpose of deepening security cooperation.

The Japan Self-Defense Forces is also offering education and training opportunities to the AFP.

The Philippines and Japan will celebrate their 69 years of diplomatic relations on July 23 this year, and 14 years of Strengthened Strategic Partnership since 2011.

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