Marcos: PH, Japan to start talks for General Security of Military Information deal

The Philippine and Japanese governments have agreed to begin negotiations for a General Security of Military Information Agreement, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday.

This was after Marcos met Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae for a bilateral meeting at the Akasaka State House in Tokyo, which was followed by a signing ceremony and joint press conference.

“We jointly announced the commencement of the negotiations for the General Security of Military Information Agreement, as well as for the delimitation of our maritime borders,” the President said.

“These are very important steps to further strengthen our defense cooperation and to uphold a rules-based maritime order. They will enhance the mutual trust between our two countries,” he added.

No details have been provided yet on the upcoming agreement.

Earlier, the Philippines entered into a similar deal with the United States, enabling Manila and Washington to exchange vital military information.

Meanwhile, Takaichi announced that Japan will provide Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines to beef up their nations’ defense ties.

“We also concurred to accelerate the exchange between the defense authorities towards the transfer of Abukuma-class destroyers and others. In order to respond to the regional strategic environment, which is growing more severe, Japan will further deepen cooperation with the Philippines,” she said.

Prior to meeting Takaichi, Marcos told members of the Japanese parliament that the Philippines and Japan pledged to strengthen maritime cooperation amid tensions in the South China Sea.

He said both nations support a rules-based approach to addressing maritime disputes.

During the ceremonial signing, Marcos and Takaichi signed other deals expanding their cooperation in various areas.

The Philippines and Japan are also keen to boost ties in space development, artificial intelligence, and energy security.

“The Philippines and Japanese governments have likewise forged new arrangements that will expand our cooperation in the agricultural and fisheries sector, improve equitable access to quality health services, and continue our long-standing partnership in our human resource development,” the President said.

“In addition, we will advance our cooperation in space development and application, artificial intelligence, energy security, and supply chain resilience,” he added.

Takaichi said the two countries also signed a deal on a new tax convention.

“On top of the new Tax Convention, which was signed just now, we signed an MOC and other documents in the areas of agriculture – international agriculture export, AI, space and human resource development this month,” she said.

The Japanese Prime Minister also expressed support for the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

“In light of such relationship with the Philippines, we have decided to include the support for the candidature of the Philippines for next month’s UNSC election in the joint statement at this time,” said Sanae.

Earlier on Thursday, Marcos met with business leaders on the third day of his state visit to Tokyo. He will return to the Philippines on Friday, May 29. — JMA, GMA News