Signing of Defense Pact between the Philippines and Japan
The Philippines and Japan signed a defense agreement in Manila on Monday, July 8, aimed at countering China’s claims in the South China Sea. According to this agreement, the armed forces are authorized to deploy troops on each other’s soil.
Enrique Manalo, the Philippine Foreign Minister, stated that Japan supports the Philippines in the dispute over sovereignty rights of the archipelago.
Japan has also expressed readiness to provide radar systems for coastal surveillance to the Philippines. Japan itself has no claims in the South China Sea, but it has disputes with China over rights in the East China Sea.