Philippines and Japan Conduct First Joint Drills

• 03 Aug 2024

On 2nd August, 2024, the Philippines and Japan carried out their inaugural joint military exercises in the South China Sea, highlighting their commitment to countering regional assertiveness.

• The drills took place within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and followed similar exercises with the US on Wednesday.
• The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stated that the exercises aim to bolster regional and international cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• Both nations are US allies and recently signed a landmark military pact allowing mutual deployment of forces on each other’s soil.
• China claims much of the South China Sea, a crucial trade route, which is also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
• Japan does not claim any part of the South China Sea but has a maritime dispute with China in the East China Sea.
• The joint exercise involved two vessels from each country and included communications drills, tactical manoeuvring, and photographic exercises.
• The exercises reflect the growing security collaboration between Japan and the Philippines amid China’s increasing regional assertiveness.