Rising Tensions in the South China Sea... Japan and the Philippines to Hold '2+2 Meeting' on the 8th of Next Month

Interest in Progress of 'RAA' Facilitating Reciprocal Dispatch

On the 1st of next month, the ‘Foreign and Defense Ministers Meeting (2+2 Meeting)’ between Japan and the Philippines will be held in Manila, Philippines. The two countries have joined hands to check China in the South China Sea.

According to AP and AFP on the 28th (local time), the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that defense and security issues between the two countries will be discussed at this meeting. From Japan, Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru will attend, and from the Philippines, Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro will participate.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The two countries are negotiating the conclusion of a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) to facilitate mutual troop deployments. Amid rising tensions between China and the Philippines over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the biggest focus of this meeting is how much progress will be made in the RAA negotiations.

If the RAA is concluded, it is expected to help the Philippines, which is confronting China in the South China Sea. It will become easier for Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel to be dispatched to the Philippines for training and other activities. Additionally, it will enable a significant expansion of the operational scope of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

Earlier, on the 17th, the Chinese Coast Guard attacked a Philippine Navy vessel performing a supply mission at the disputed territory in the South China Sea, the ‘Second Thomas Shoal’ (Chinese name: Ren'ai Jiao, Philippine name: Ayungin). Concerns arose that the United States, which has a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines, might intervene, but the Philippine administration took steps to manage the situation. However, three days later, Philippine President Marcos visited the Western Command, which oversees the South China Sea territorial waters, and as China pressured the Philippines again, tensions between the two countries appear to be escalating once more.