Japan-U.S.-Philippines summit announced to be held next month to strengthen security cooperation

The US government has announced that next month, in conjunction with Prime Minister Kishida's visit to the US, President Marcos of the Philippines will also be invited to hold the first summit meeting between the US, Japan, and the Philippines.

The aim appears to be to strengthen security cooperation with China, which is accelerating its maritime expansion.

Prime Minister Kishida will make an official visit to Washington, the capital of the United States, as a state guest next month, hold a Japan-U.S. summit meeting with President Biden at the White House on the 10th of next month, and give a speech at a joint session of both houses of Congress on the 11th. We are planning to do so.

In this regard, the White House issued a statement and announced on the 18th of this month that the first summit meeting between the three countries will be held on the 11th, inviting President Marcos of the Philippines.

At the meeting, the United States will reaffirm the bilateral alliance between Japan and the Philippines, and will exchange views on cooperation between the three countries to promote peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world.

In the South China Sea, conflicts are deepening over Second Thomas Reef, where the Philippines has a military base, with China interfering with the activities of Philippine ships.

The Biden administration appears to be aiming to strengthen cooperation among the three countries on the security front with China in mind, and to increase deterrence in the region.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi “further strengthens cooperation between Japan, the U.S. and the Philippines”

At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi said, ``The Philippines is an ally of the United States like Japan, and as a maritime nation adjacent to Japan, it is an important partner in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific.'' "With the Japan-U.S. alliance as the core, deepening cooperation in a wide range of fields with like-minded countries such as the Philippines is essential to maintaining peace and prosperity in the region."

``As the international community approaches a historic turning point, Japan, the United States, and the Philippines will further strengthen their cooperation in order to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law.'' ” he said.