Japan intends to rapidly transfer destroyers and aircraft to the Philippines, as part of strengthening military cooperation.

The Japanese Minister of Defense, Shinjiro Koizumi, announced in Manila that Japan will quickly transfer Abukuma-class destroyers and TC-90 aircraft to the Philippines, in the context of strengthening military relations between the two countries. This decision comes following the participation for the first time of 1,400 Japanese soldiers in the joint military exercises of the US and the Philippines. Koizumi emphasized that discussions for cooperation in the field of equipment will continue, and the destroyers will be offered as a donation, not as a purchase. Relations between Japan and the Philippines have strengthened following territorial disputes with China, which led to the signing of a mutual access agreement for troop deployment. Koizumi reaffirmed Japan's opposition to the use of force in the East and South China Seas, in the context of rising regional tensions. Ministers Koizumi and Teodoro will attend a military exercise in which Japan will use missiles to sink a World War II ship, alongside American, Philippine, and Canadian forces.