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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH Army, Japanese counterpart push joint training, tech cooperation in latest talks

PH Army, Japanese counterpart push joint training, tech cooperation in latest talks

Published Apr 19, 2026 12:05 pm  |  Updated Apr 19, 2026 02:11 pm
(Photo: Philippine Army)
(Photo: Philippine Army)
The Philippine Army (PA) and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) agreed to step up joint training and explore defense technology cooperation following their latest high-level talks.
Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete, PA commanding general, and Gen. Arai Masayoshi, JGSDF chief of staff, held their third high-level meeting via video teleconference last week.
“The two leaders exchanged views on the regional security environment and shared their understanding of the current status and future direction of Japan–Philippines defense cooperation and exchanges,” PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said Sunday, April 19.
“In particular, they reaffirmed the importance of communication at all levels, including high-level engagements, and agreed on strengthening cooperation through joint training opportunities and collaboration in multi-layered areas, including defense equipment and technology cooperation,” he added.
Japan’s growing role in Manila-led exercises has also been noted by the PA, according to Dema-ala.
“JGSDF has also sent a delegation to actively participate for the first time in the Exercise Salaknib that traditionally sees Filipino and American ground troops training together in a range of warfighting functions,” Dema-ala said.
Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Arai Masayoshi (Photo: Philippine Army)
Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Arai Masayoshi (Photo: Philippine Army)
Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete (Photo: PA)
Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete (Photo: PA)
Around 420 Japanese troops joined the first phase of the Salaknib, an annual joint military exercise primarily between the PA and the United States Army aimed at strengthening their ability to operate together in combat and crisis situations.
The PA said the move signals deeper defense engagement between Manila and Tokyo, and reflects Japan’s push to expand security partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
“The Philippine Army is sustaining its defense cooperation and exchanges with the JGSDF and armies from like-minded nations amid the rapidly changing regional and global security landscape,” Dema-ala stressed.
Defense ties between the two countries have steadily expanded as both sides have cited the need to respond to evolving regional threats.
The meeting came as both sides built on a string of engagements over the past year.
Nafarrete and Arai met at the Ground Staff Office in Ichigaya, Tokyo on December 16, 2025, and held talks on the sidelines of the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference in September 2025.

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Philippine Army Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces joint training technology cooperation Salaknib
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