Philippines, Japan Defense Ministers' Meeting: Advancing Equipment Transfer and Deepening Cooperation
Philippine and Japanese defense ministers met in Manila, signing a statement on defense equipment and technology cooperation. They agreed to promote the transfer of defense equipment, including Abukuma-class frigates, from Japan to the Philippines, aiming to deepen regional security.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 23:09
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MANILA, May 5 (CNA) — Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi held talks in Manila today. The two sides signed a statement on defense equipment and technology cooperation and agreed to promote the transfer of defense equipment from Japan to the Philippines, including Abukuma-class frigates.
Koizumi stated at a post-meeting press conference that with the increasingly severe regional and international security environment, he and Teodoro discussed how to further deepen cooperation in policy, operations, and defense equipment and technology.
He said that based on Japan's revised 'Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology' and its operational guidelines, the two sides signed a 'Statement on Further Promoting Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation.' They agreed to establish a working group composed of officials from policy, operations, and equipment departments to strengthen relevant coordination.
In addition, the two also agreed to promote comprehensive equipment cooperation, covering education and training, maintenance and logistics support, operational coordination, information sharing, and appropriate management of transferred equipment. They also discussed Japan's early transfer of Abukuma-class frigates, TC-90 patrol aircraft, and other defense equipment to the Philippines.
After visiting Australia and Indonesia, Koizumi arrived in Manila today to witness the Japanese Self-Defense Forces sinking a target ship with an Type 88 surface-to-ship missile in the Philippines-U.S. 'Balikatan' joint military exercise tomorrow.
He also paid a courtesy call on Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. today.
Last year, the Philippine and Japanese parliaments separately approved the 'Reciprocal Access Agreement' (RAA), allowing Japanese Self-Defense Force members to officially participate in the 'Balikatan' exercise for the first time this year. The number of participants increased from about 140 as 'observers' in the past to about 1,400 currently.
On the other hand, Teodoro described Japan as a 'reliable partner,' emphasizing that the two countries' forces 'fighting shoulder-to-shoulder' is the highest embodiment of bilateral cooperation.
Teodoro stated that Japan's relaxation of arms export restrictions reflects countries' recognition of the need for collaboration and integration to maintain regional peace and stability.
He added that Japan has completed the transfer of a batch of TC-90 patrol aircraft to the Philippines, and the Philippines is very much looking forward to the transfer of additional models. The Philippines also hopes to acquire Japan's Abukuma-class frigates, but before receiving them, the Philippine Navy still needs to accelerate the construction of berthing and port facilities and enhance maintenance and logistics capabilities.
In a joint statement issued later, the two reiterated their opposition to any actions that unilaterally change the status quo in the East China Sea and South China Sea by force or coercion, and committed to strengthening bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
In recent years, Philippine-Japanese defense cooperation has continued to deepen at the operational level, including the entry into force of the Reciprocal Access Agreement and the signing of the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). (Editor: Tang Pei-chun) 1150505
Koizumi stated at a post-meeting press conference that with the increasingly severe regional and international security environment, he and Teodoro discussed how to further deepen cooperation in policy, operations, and defense equipment and technology.
He said that based on Japan's revised 'Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology' and its operational guidelines, the two sides signed a 'Statement on Further Promoting Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation.' They agreed to establish a working group composed of officials from policy, operations, and equipment departments to strengthen relevant coordination.
In addition, the two also agreed to promote comprehensive equipment cooperation, covering education and training, maintenance and logistics support, operational coordination, information sharing, and appropriate management of transferred equipment. They also discussed Japan's early transfer of Abukuma-class frigates, TC-90 patrol aircraft, and other defense equipment to the Philippines.
After visiting Australia and Indonesia, Koizumi arrived in Manila today to witness the Japanese Self-Defense Forces sinking a target ship with an Type 88 surface-to-ship missile in the Philippines-U.S. 'Balikatan' joint military exercise tomorrow.
He also paid a courtesy call on Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. today.
Last year, the Philippine and Japanese parliaments separately approved the 'Reciprocal Access Agreement' (RAA), allowing Japanese Self-Defense Force members to officially participate in the 'Balikatan' exercise for the first time this year. The number of participants increased from about 140 as 'observers' in the past to about 1,400 currently.
On the other hand, Teodoro described Japan as a 'reliable partner,' emphasizing that the two countries' forces 'fighting shoulder-to-shoulder' is the highest embodiment of bilateral cooperation.
Teodoro stated that Japan's relaxation of arms export restrictions reflects countries' recognition of the need for collaboration and integration to maintain regional peace and stability.
He added that Japan has completed the transfer of a batch of TC-90 patrol aircraft to the Philippines, and the Philippines is very much looking forward to the transfer of additional models. The Philippines also hopes to acquire Japan's Abukuma-class frigates, but before receiving them, the Philippine Navy still needs to accelerate the construction of berthing and port facilities and enhance maintenance and logistics capabilities.
In a joint statement issued later, the two reiterated their opposition to any actions that unilaterally change the status quo in the East China Sea and South China Sea by force or coercion, and committed to strengthening bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
In recent years, Philippine-Japanese defense cooperation has continued to deepen at the operational level, including the entry into force of the Reciprocal Access Agreement and the signing of the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). (Editor: Tang Pei-chun) 1150505