Japan and Philippines to Start GSOMIA Negotiations to Counter China

The Japanese and Philippine governments are set to formally launch negotiations for a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) to establish a system for sharing classified security information. As both nations are U.S. allies, this move is seen as a significant step toward strengthening trilateral security cooperation among Japan, the U.S., and the Philippines to deter China. If signed, it would be Japan's first GSOMIA with a Southeast Asian nation.

According to the Nikkei, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is scheduled to visit Japan from the 26th to the 29th. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to hold a summit with Marcos on the 28th to reach a consensus on starting formal GSOMIA negotiations.

GSOMIA aims to create a legal framework for exchanging defense-related classified information while ensuring it does not leak to third countries. The U.S. has already signed such an agreement with the Philippines; Japan's participation would facilitate a trilateral intelligence cooperation mechanism. Japan currently has GSOMIA agreements with about 10 countries and organizations, including the U.S., U.K., India, and South Korea.

Reports indicate that because the Philippines is in a persistent standoff with China over South China Sea sovereignty and is geographically close to Taiwan, Japan hopes to enhance regional deterrence by strengthening security cooperation with Manila. Japan has already exported air surveillance radars to the Philippines and may share surveillance data in the future.

Furthermore, following Japan's relaxation of defense equipment export restrictions, the export of defense hardware will be a key topic. The two sides will form a working group to discuss providing Abukuma-class destroyers and TC-90 training aircraft to enhance the Philippine Navy's capabilities. This will strengthen overall deterrence in East Asia and help the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force expand maintenance bases in Southeast Asia.

Regarding economic cooperation, the two nations plan to sign a new tax treaty during Marcos's visit to clarify tax jurisdictions and strengthen mechanisms to avoid double taxation, improving tax predictability for Japanese firms investing in the Philippines.

In the energy sector, the two countries are expected to deepen cooperation through the Partnership for Enhancing Energy Resource Supply Capacity in Asia (POWERR Asia), led by Japan and established in April this year. Japan will also utilize the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) budget to assist the Philippine National Oil Company in building fuel storage facilities.

Additionally, Japan and the Philippines are expected to upgrade their current "Strategic Partnership" to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," further expanding cooperation in security, energy, and economic fields.