Japan and Philippines to Discuss Intelligence Pact amid China Concerns

Japan and Philippines will formally announce the start of negotiations on a security intelligence-sharing pact on Thursday (28 May), amid shared concerns over China’s military activities in the region. According to Japanese government sources, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are expected to agree on elevating bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership during their Tokyo meeting. The two leaders will hold a joint press conference and release a statement following the discussions. Japan and Philippines, both close allies of the United States, have been stepping up security cooperation in recent years amid escalating Chinese maritime activities in the Indo-Pacific. China claims the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, which are administered by Japan, and virtually the entire South China Sea, where its coastguard vessels have repeatedly been involved in incidents with Filipino vessels in disputed waters. The intelligence pact under discussion, known as GSOMIA (General Security of Military Information Agreement), requires both nations to protect shared military information from leaks. Japan already has similar agreements with Australia, South Korea, and the United States. In January, Japan and Philippines signed a defence logistics support pact to facilitate military supplies sharing. A mutual access agreement between the two countries also came into effect last September to expedite deployment during joint exercises and disaster relief operations. Marcos’ state visit to Japan, lasting until Friday, coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations this year.