NATIONAL security advisers (NSAs) of United States, Japan and Philippine recently met in Tokyo to discuss issues of mutual concern, including the conduct of joint naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.
The NSAs – Jake Sullivan of the US, Akiba Takeo of Japan, and Eduardo Año of the Philippines – met last Friday “to exchange views on a concrete approach for improving trilateral cooperation.”
A joint statement, released by the Philippine National Security Council said Sullivan reaffirmed the US’ “ironclad alliance commitments” to Japan and Philippines during the meeting, a move that was welcomed by Akiba and Año.
The statement said the three security leaders also stressed the importance of enhancing the trilateral cooperation among the three countries “in order to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order.”
“The three NSAs emphasized the importance of enhancing trilateral cooperation and response capabilities based on the Japan-United States alliance and Philippines-United States alliance in order to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” the statement read.
“Also, they concurred that a free and open maritime order, characterized by freedom of navigation, and a free, fair, and equitable economic order are essential in the Indo-Pacific, especially given unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion,” it added.
They discussed security challenges, including South China Sea and East China Sea. Also discussed was North Korea which has continued its nuclear and ballistic weapons programs and has sparked tensions with South Korea and even US.
The Philippines, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan are locked in a territorial dispute over the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea. China has turned aggressive in its claims in recent years.
Japan and China are locked in a territorial dispute over Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
“In addition, they reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” the statement said.
The statement said the three NSAs agreed to enhanced trilateral cooperation, including in the field of maritime activities in the region.
“The three NSAs discussed opportunities to conduct combined maritime activities including multilateral joint naval exercises in Indo-Pacific waters in support of freedom of navigation, and the broader rules-based order,” it said.
“The three NSAs resolved to advance trilateral defense cooperation based on the recent progress between the United States and the Philippines such as the four additional locations identified pursuant to their Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and between Japan and the Philippines in discussing frameworks that will enhance and facilitate reciprocal visits of defense and military officials,” the statement added.
