Japan woos visiting Philippine leader during state visit with arms sales and China in mind

TOKYO (AP) — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is receiving an exceptional level of hospitality in a four-day state visit to Japan that culminates Thursday.

There is a palace banquet, a prestigious national award and a clear message that Tokyo is keen to upgrade ties with a nation it sees as a key defense partner — and major arms customer — at a time of fears over China’s military activity in Asia.

Marcos’ visit ending with his departure Friday has included a greeting by Emperor Naruhito, who gave him the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum.

On Thursday, Marcos will hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, which are expected to result in statements further strengthening defense and weapons cooperation.

Speaking Wednesday to Japanese lawmakers, Marcos said the emphasis on raising ties to a higher level reflects an “exceptional level of trust” between the nations.

Both nations have China firmly in mind as they tighten a military relationship that the United States hopes will act as a bulwark against Beijing’s ambitions in the East and South China Seas and its designs on Taiwan, the self-governing island China claims as its own.

Marcos is the first potential major customer of Japanese arms since Takaichi’s government scrapped a ban on lethal weapons exports. The change in April was a break from Japan’s postwar pacifist policy as the nation accelerates its military and arms industry buildup.

The nations agreed to pursue negotiations on a sale of multiple Abukuma-class destroyers and Japanese navy TC-90 training aircraft. Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who observed joint live-fire exercises with his Japanese counterpart earlier this month, also expressed interest in Type-88 surface-to-ship missiles.

Japanese officials say Marcos’ state visit also is linked to the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and to the Philippines this year holding the rotating presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Marcos and Takaichi also are expected to arrange formal talks meant to achieve a military intelligence sharing pact, which would enable closer communication and help tighten trilateral military cooperation with the U.S., their mutual ally, Japanese officials said.

Japan has provided a set of five coastal surveillance radars to the Philippines as part of official security assistance and intelligence-sharing would enhance reconnaissance cooperation.

Japan wants to enhance its partnership with the Philippines beyond Marcos’ presidency, which ends in 2028, as Tokyo looks to avoid what is considered flip-flopping on China policy by some previous Philippine governments.

Marcos has taken a hard-line stance against China over maritime disputes in the South China Sea. During his presidency, the Philippines and Japan have rapidly bolstered their security ties bilaterally and trilaterally with the U.S.

Japan and the Philippines signed a pact in 2024 allowing their forces to smoothly visit each other’s country for joint military drills. This paved the way for Japan to deploy 1,400 military personnel as regular participants in joint military exercises.

The two countries signed a separate defense pact this year that would allow the tax-free provision of ammunition, fuel, food and other necessities when their forces stage joint training.

During the state visit, Marcos and Takaichi also are set to discuss energy cooperation and a Japan-initiated multinational funding framework announced in April.

That framework is designed to help Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, stabilize oil reserves through financial assistance to build necessary infrastructure as they struggle from the fallout of the Iran war that has halted oil transports through the Strait of Hormuz.

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Associated Press writer Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report.