According to the Nihon Keizai website on April 11, the governments of Japan and the Philippines will start to improve laws that facilitate the exchange of confidential military intelligence. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will visit the Philippines at the end of April to strive to confirm the start of preparatory consultations as soon as possible to sign the Military Intelligence Protection Agreement.

The picture shows Japan and the Philippines holding a joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea.

The picture shows Japan and the Philippines holding a joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea.

According to reports, the "Military Supply and Services Mutual Support Agreement, which facilitates the integration of the Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine Army in terms of food and fuel, has also entered the negotiation stage and an agreement is expected to be reached in the future. The two sides will create an environment conducive to joint training and deepen defense exchanges.

The Philippines will use Japanese-made air defense radar to enhance marine and aerial surveillance. The Philippines signed the Military Intelligence Protection Agreement with the United States in 2024. If this agreement is also signed with Japan, the three countries of Japan, the United States and the Philippines will be able to closely share intelligence in the South China Sea and the East China Sea.

Japan-Philippines security cooperation has been upgraded to the quasi-alliance level. In July 2024, the two countries signed the "Reciprocal Access Agreement" that facilitates smooth exchanges between the military.

The Japanese and Philippine Defense Ministers held talks in February to confirm their preparations to put the conclusion of the Military Intelligence Protection Agreement on the agenda.

Japanese Foreign Minister Tsubasa Iwaya said in January that he would continue to support him in improving his maritime security capabilities.