Japan, Phl to boost trilateral ties with US

Japan and the Philippines have signaled their readiness to further deepen their trilateral partnership with the United States amid what both sides described as a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex regional security landscape.

Visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu made the statement after his bilateral meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro in Pasay City on Thursday.

“The Secretary and I confirmed the importance of the Japan-Philippines-US trilateral cooperation in the face of an increasingly severe strategic environment,” Motegi said. “We intend to strengthen our cooperation with the United States, our common ally for the peace and stability in the region.”

Lazaro, for her part, reaffirmed Manila’s commitment to sustaining the trilateral framework, saying the Philippines is ready to host the next Trilateral Maritime Dialogue.

The Japan-Philippines-US partnership was launched in April 2024 to drive high-impact infrastructure investments under the Luzon Economic Corridor, aimed at improving transportation, energy, and logistics efficiency in the country’s most populous region. The US Department of State has said the initiative complements the three nations’ expanding security cooperation.

In October last year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae also underscored the trilateral arrangement as a key pillar of regional peace, stability, and development.

During their meeting, Motegi and Lazaro also stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law, including freedom of navigation and overflight, particularly in the South China Sea.

“We concurred on continuing to oppose unilateral attempts to change status quo by force or coercion in the East and South China Seas,” Motegi said.

On bilateral cooperation, the two ministers agreed to sustain efforts to improve connectivity in the Philippines, including railway development. Motegi also said Japan is prepared to work with Manila on flood control, disaster risk management, economic security, and strengthening supply chain resilience, including for critical minerals.