JAPAN and the Philippines are set to begin discussing exporting Japanese military hardware to the Philippines, possibly anti-submarine reconnaissance aircraft and radar technology, amid increasingly assertive Chinese activity in regional seas.
An announcement on the talks is expected later on Thursday when President Aquino and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meet, focusing on Beijing’s reclamation work in the South China Sea.
Japanese media reports say that P-3C anti-submarine reconnaissance aircraft and radar technology are possible sale items. A sale of the P-3C, originally designed by Lockeed Martin Corp. and produced in Japan by Kawasaki Heavy Industries from 1978 to 1997, would be Japan’s first full-fledged military export since Tokyo lifted its restrictions on military exports last year.
Foreign Ministry officials have said the countries are seeking to transfer military hardware for maritime security.
Under Abe’s push to expand Japan’s international military role, Japan has signed defense cooperation agreements with a number of countries to complement its cornerstone alliance with the US, while seeking to expand its military exports and joint development.
Japan is already in discussions about exporting US-2 amphibious aircraft to India, and has joined a final selection process to compete against France and Germany to be part of Australia’s next submarine fleet.
Earlier Thursday, Japan and the Philippines signed a deal confirming the supply of 10 patrol vessels to the Philippine Coast Guard, so it can step up patrols around South China Sea islands Manila claims and which China contests.
Manila has protested over China’s reclamation work on some of the disputed islands and its actions against Filipino air patrols and fishermen. Tokyo, meanwhile, is at odds with China over a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.
On his sixth visit to Japan in five years, Aquino criticized China’s assertiveness in regional seas, a concern shared by both countries as they deepen their ties.
The talks between Aquino and Abe are to focus on defense and security ties. They are expected to sign a deal confirming Japan’s provision of 10 patrol vessels to the Philippine coast guard to bolster its patrolling capability around Manila-claimed South China Sea islands.
Since both countries are US allies and share concerns over China’s maritime activity, the Philippines is extremely important to Japan, said Kenko Sone, spokesman at Japan’s Prime Minister’s Office.
Asked about a US role, Aquino said America’s presence is crucial to the region’s stability and that the international community should act proactively.
In a speech at a conference organized by the Nikkei business newspaper, Aquino criticized what he called China’s “unlawful territorial claim” and hinted at similarities between Beijing’s land-reclamation in the South China Sea and Nazi Germany’s expansionist moves before World War II. He has drawn similar parallels in the past.
Foreign Ministry officials said on Monday Abe and Aquino were also expected to expand their defense cooperation in other areas, including the transfer of Japanese military equipment and technology to the Philippines, possibly related to maritime reconnaissance. Tokyo eased a ban on military exports last year.
In a speech to the upper house of Japan’s parliament, Aquino said that the maritime and coastal stability in the region is “at risk of being disrupted by attempts to redraw the geographic limits and entitlements outside those clearly bestowed by the law of nations.”
He praised Tokyo’s solidarity with the Philippines in advocating the problem and said “a country that we both have had difficulties with” was responsible for the problem, without mentioning China.
Under Abe’s push to expand Japan’s international defense role, Japan has been expanding its defense cooperation with a number of countries to complement its cornerstone alliance with the US.
In Washington, the top US diplomat for East Asia said on Wednesday that China’s behavior in the South China Sea was posing a question about what kind of power China seeks to become.
“For China to assert its claims through large-scale land reclamation, through the deployment of paramilitary forces or military forces that its neighbors see as threatening, is inconsistent with the kind of region that you and I want to see,” Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel told the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.
In Tokyo Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said he held talks with his Australian counterpart, Kevin Andrews, and they shared concerns. “We both strongly oppose the attempt to change the status quo by force, as we share grave concern about China’s reclamation work,” Nakatani told reporters.
Manila has protested over China’s stepped-up reclamation work on Philippine-claimed islands and its maneuvers against Filipino air patrols and fishermen.
Image credits: AP