Japan agrees in principle to transfer defence equipment to Philippines

Yoshihide Suga told reporters in Tokyo on Friday that Japan had no particular plans to take part in USA operations in the South China Sea, but was ready to support efforts aimed at ensuring security in the region.

The latest Japan-U.S. summit talks, following a similar meeting in Washington during a visit to the United States by the prime minister in April, were to be the first since new security-related legislation was established in Japan.

He also said the request of President Aquino regarding the provision of large patrol vessels for Philippine Coast Guard will be considered by Japan.

Philippine defense officials, however, have admitted this may not be signed within Aquino’s presidency because of the lengthy legal procedures involved.

He expressed support on the Philippine arbitration case against China on their territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

The United States has repeatedly warned it does not recognize Chinese claims of sovereignty over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

“At the same time, we confirm the importance of partnership in the global community based on the rule of law to protect open, free and peaceful seas”, Abe said.

Given his country’s wish to “make further contributions to the peace and stability of the region”, he said that he agreed “in principle” on the transfer of defense equipment to the Philippines, and would work on its early signing and subsequent implementation.

“The APEC leaders should resolutely condemn it”, Kawamura said. Obama said America will continue to do so routinely. The country claims most of the South China Sea, putting a strain on relations with its Asia Pacific neighbors. Japan and China are also embroiled in a row over the unoccupied Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

Meanwhile, Abe announced that Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko would visit the Philippines next year to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties. “It will be a gesture of new impetus for our friendship”, the Japanese leader said.

In a statement, the Japanese Embassy said Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa “exchanged notes” for a yen loan “amounting to 241.991 billion yen (approximately P93.457 billion) on November 19, 2015”.

The Philippines and Japan on Thursday night signed bilateral agreements on social security and rail project while increasing defense partnership following the Paris attacks that killed 129 people.

The embassy said that previously, Abe promised that Japan “would cooperate constructively in the project utilizing Japanese fund and technology”.