Trending Now - Japan Courts Philippine President With Arms Deals Amid China Tensions

WHO:

AP News - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

AP News - Emperor Naruhito of Japan.

AP News - Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

WHAT:

AP News - Japan and the Philippines agreed to strengthen defense cooperation and accelerate talks on Japanese weapons sales and intelligence sharing.

AP News - The two countries upgraded their diplomatic ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

AP News - Marcos described the partnership upgrade as a “milestone” based on “friendship and shared values for peace, diplomacy and adherence to international law.”

AP News - Japan is pursuing negotiations for the sale of multiple Abukuma-class destroyers and TC-90 training aircraft to the Philippines.

AP News - Japan provided five coastal surveillance radars to the Philippines as part of security assistance.

WHERE:

AP News - The discussions took place in Tokyo, Japan.

WHEN:

AP News - The partnership upgrade and discussions occurred during Marcos' state visit, which lasted four days.

AP News - Japan and the Philippines signed a pact in 2024 for joint military drills.

AP News - A separate defense pact was signed in 2026 allowing tax-free provision of military necessities.

WHY:

AP News - The strengthening of ties is motivated by fears over China’s military activity in Asia.

AP News - Japan aims to enhance its partnership with the Philippines beyond Marcos’ presidency, which ends in 2028.

HOW:

AP News - The two nations are formalizing talks for a military intelligence sharing pact to enhance cooperation with the U.S.

AP News - Japan initiated a multinational funding framework to help stabilize oil reserves in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.

(UPDATED May 28, 2026 18:04 UTC)

In a significant development, Japan and the Philippines have agreed to strengthen their defense cooperation and accelerate discussions on Japanese weapons sales and intelligence sharing during Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s state visit to Tokyo. The two nations have upgraded their diplomatic ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which Marcos described as a “milestone” rooted in friendship and shared values for peace and international law. As part of this partnership, Japan is pursuing negotiations for the sale of multiple Abukuma-class destroyers and TC-90 training aircraft, while also providing security assistance through coastal surveillance radars.