US-Philippines 'Shoulder-to-Shoulder' Exercise Counters China; Japanese Defense Minister Observes
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is visiting the Philippines to observe the 'Balikatan' military exercise involving the US, Philippines, Canada, and Japan, and to meet with Philippine President Marcos Jr. to deepen defense cooperation.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 21:31
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Manila, 5th, comprehensive foreign report) Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi today traveled to the Philippines to observe the "Shoulder-to-Shoulder" (Balikatan) international military exercise involving troops from the United States, the Philippines, Canada, and Japan. He will also hold talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to promote deeper defense cooperation between the two countries.
According to an Associated Press report, the Philippines and Japan are both treaty allies of the United States. The two countries signed a "Reciprocal Access Agreement" in 2024, allowing their forces to conduct large-scale joint military exercises, paving the way for Japan to become a formal participant in "Balikatan," and sending 1,400 troops to participate this year.
Forces from the United States, the Philippines, and other allied nations participate in the "Balikatan" exercise annually, aiming to respond to various security contingencies and deter China's increasingly assertive posture in the region.
Representatives from 16 countries, including India and Australia, are expected to travel to Paoay, northwestern Philippines, tomorrow to observe a significant "Balikatan" exercise. Shinjiro Koizumi is also among them. During this exercise, the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Canada will use live fire to conduct a simulated attack on a vessel approximately 40 kilometers off the coast.
It is reported that Shinjiro Koizumi will meet with Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in the Philippine capital, Manila, possibly discussing the transfer of used Japanese destroyers to the Philippines. (Compiler: Chen Cheng-chien) 1150505
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(Central News Agency, Manila, 5th, comprehensive foreign report) Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi today traveled to the Philippines to observe the "Shoulder-to-Shoulder" (Balikatan) international military exercise involving troops from the United States, the Philippines, Canada, and Japan. He will also hold talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to promote deeper defense cooperation between the two countries.
According to an Associated Press report, the Philippines and Japan are both treaty allies of the United States. The two countries signed a "Reciprocal Access Agreement" in 2024, allowing their forces to conduct large-scale joint military exercises, paving the way for Japan to become a formal participant in "Balikatan," and sending 1,400 troops to participate this year.
Forces from the United States, the Philippines, and other allied nations participate in the "Balikatan" exercise annually, aiming to respond to various security contingencies and deter China's increasingly assertive posture in the region.
Representatives from 16 countries, including India and Australia, are expected to travel to Paoay, northwestern Philippines, tomorrow to observe a significant "Balikatan" exercise. Shinjiro Koizumi is also among them. During this exercise, the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Canada will use live fire to conduct a simulated attack on a vessel approximately 40 kilometers off the coast.
It is reported that Shinjiro Koizumi will meet with Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in the Philippine capital, Manila, possibly discussing the transfer of used Japanese destroyers to the Philippines. (Compiler: Chen Cheng-chien) 1150505
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to get the latest news in real-time.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.