Japan and Philippines upgrade to 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership', reaffirm importance of Taiwan Strait peace

(CNA, Tokyo, May 28) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is visiting Japan as a state guest, held a summit in Tokyo today. Following the meeting, the two sides issued a joint statement announcing the formal upgrade of Japan-Philippines relations to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" and reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, calling for a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues through dialogue. Marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the two countries released a joint statement titled "Together Weaving the Future: Peace, Prosperity and Possibilities." They stated that in the face of an increasingly severe international security environment, Japan and the Philippines, as like-minded maritime democracies, have entered a "Platinum Era" in their bilateral relations and decided to elevate their existing strategic partnership to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" to further deepen security, economic, and regional cooperation. On security, both sides welcomed the entry into force of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) last September and the signing of the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) this January, and agreed to formally launch negotiations for a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA). Japan reiterated its commitment to continue assisting the Philippines in capacity building, particularly in the maritime domain, and to promote the transfer of defense equipment, including patrol vessels, TC-90 trainer aircraft, and radar systems. On economic cooperation, both sides agreed to deepen cooperation under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) and other frameworks. They also expressed concern over economic coercion and agreed to deepen cooperation in critical minerals, semiconductors, electronic equipment, renewable energy, and automobiles. Regarding maritime affairs, Japan and the Philippines announced the formal launch of negotiations on Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf boundaries. They expressed serious concern over the situation in the East and South China Seas, reaffirmed their opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, and reiterated their support for the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling. Notably, the joint statement also emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.