The Growing Japan - Philippine Military Alliance

Reuters: Tokyo, Manila boost security ties as China pushes maritime claims

Japan and the Philippines agreed to strengthen security ties and discussed transferring military equipment and technology on Thursday in Tokyo's latest move to strengthen cooperation with Southeast Asian countries to counter China's maritime ambitions.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting Philippine President Benigno Aquino also agreed to expand joint training and exercises between their militaries and to co-operate in building up the Philippines Coast Guard.

China has become increasingly assertive in the South China Sea, building artificial islands in areas over which the Philippines and other countries have rival claims.

WNU Editor: I expect this trend of forming political and military alliances to counter Chinese territorial claims to grow.

More News On The Growing Japan - Philippine Military Alliance

Philippines wants defense pact for Japanese troops -- AP
Japan to Provide Patrol Vessels to Philippines -- WSJ
Aquino: will begin talks to allow Japan to use Philippines' military bases -- Reuters
Japan, Philippines Seeking New Pact on Military Bases -- The Diplomat
Japanese troops may use naval, air bases in Philippines -- Business Standard
Philippines to allow Japan to use its military bases against Chinese aggression -- The Telegraph
Philippines Strengthens Foreign Alliances Amid China Sea Dispute -- VOA
Text of Japan-Philippines Joint Declaration on strategic partnership -- Asia Times

Japan And The Philippines Agree To Work Together To Contain China's Territorial Ambitions

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III (R) and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hold a joint press conference at the presidential palace in Manila, the Philippines, July 27, 2013. Shinzo Abe arrived in Manila Friday night for a two-day official visit, the final stop of his three-nation southeast Asian tour which also took him to Malaysia and Singapore. (Xinhua/Robert Vinas)

Japan's Abe Vows Maritime Help To Philippines Amid China Row -- Channel News Asia

MANILA: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged increased maritime cooperation with the Philippines on Saturday amid growing territorial disputes with regional rival China.

"For Japan, the Philippines is a strategic partner with whom we share fundamental values and many strategic interests," Abe told a joint news conference with Philippine president Benigno Aquino after their meeting in Manila.

"In order to further reinforce this relationship... we confirm continued assistance to the capacity-building of the Philippine coastguard."

Abe's overnight visit came as tensions have steadily risen between China and Japan, which accuses its neighbour of sending an increasing number of ships to exert its claim over unpopulated Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea.

Read more ....

More News On Japan And The Philippines Agreeing To Work Together To Contain China's Territorial Ambitions

Japan vows support for Philippines in China row -- Miami Herald/AP
Japan, Philippines leaders commit to strengthen maritime and security ties -- Gulf News
Japan, Philippines to Tighten Links as Maritime Disputes Fester -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Japan to provide Philippines with 10 cutters to beef up maritime patrols -- Asahi Shimbun
Philippines, Japan agree to strengthen maritime cooperation -- Xinhuanet

Update: The Japanese are also strengthening their ties with the U.S..

Japan, Philippines Seek Tighter Ties To Counter The Growing Influence Of China

Japan, Philippines Seek Tighter Ties to Counter China -- Wall Street Journal

Japan and the Philippines, both facing intensifying territorial disputes with China, are exploring ways to deepen military and security ties.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, who will meet Tuesday in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, told reporters last week that he would raise security issues, seeking Mr. Noda's backing in disputes over competing claims between Beijing and neighbors in the South China Sea.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Read more ....

More News On Japan And The Philippines Aligning Themselves To Counter China

Tokyo and Manila Strengthen Defense Ties With an Eye Toward China -- Wall Street Journal
Philippines, Japan to Boost Maritime Security Cooperation -- Voice of America
Japan, Philippines to boost maritime security ties on China concerns - Mainichi Daily News
Philippines gets Japan support on Spratlys dispute -- Inquirer.net
Japan, Philippines to step up naval cooperation -- ABS-CBN/Reuters
South China Sea: Philippines seeks help from Japan with sea lane off Spratly Islands -- Eagle Speak
China South Sea: Japan, Philippines To Boost Sea Security -- Eurasia Review

My Comment: This is an important alliance with one major player missing .... i.e. .... where is the U.S.?