Philippine, Japanese defense chiefs meet to boost military cooperation

On February 24, 2025, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. met with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in Makati City to discuss strengthening defense ties amid China's assertive actions in the South and East China Seas.

The meeting resulted in agreements to deepen military cooperation, including a new high-level dialogue focused on defense equipment sharing and the establishment of a strategic dialogue between senior military officers for enhanced information sharing and operational collaboration.

Both countries also agreed to expand personnel exchanges through Japan’s National Defense Academy and continue joint initiatives under Japan's Official Security Assistance Program to support the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Nakatani highlighted the contribution of Japanese-provided air surveillance radar systems in monitoring the South China Sea, with another delivery expected by the end of 2025.

The two defense chiefs emphasized their commitment to opposing any unilateral attempts to reshape the global order and maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, noting the need for strategic cooperation amid an increasingly severe security environment.