President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. welcomes Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi  on January 15, 2025 at the President’s Hall, Malacañan Palace, Manila. Yummie Dingding, PPA pool

PH-JAPAN

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173693315598420250115-bbm-takeshi-iwaya-PPA-3.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. welcomes Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi  on January 15, 2025 at the President’s Hall, Malacañan Palace, Manila. Yummie Dingding, PPA pool"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. welcomes Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi  on January 15, 2025 at the President’s Hall, Malacañan Palace, Manila. <em>Yummie Dingding, PPA pool</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines to continue assisting in maritime security and cooperation as the two countries&#x27; top diplomats expressed concern on the South China Sea and East China Sea tensions.</p><p>Japan Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, who is in the Philippines for a two-day visit, had a bilateral meeting with Foreign Affairs Sec. Enrique Manalo and other officials on Wednesday, January 15 in Taguig City.</p><p>&quot;I am gravely concerned that actions heightening tension in the South China Sea are repeated. The issue over the South China Sea is a legitimate concern for the international community because it directly links to regional peace and stability,&quot; Iwaya said in a press conference following the bilateral meeting when asked about China&#x27;s &quot;behavior&quot; in the South China Sea.</p><p>&quot;Japan strongly opposes any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force or build up tension in the region. We strongly ask for easing of tensions,&quot; the Japanese official added.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/15/marcos-reaffirms-support-for-trilateral-agreement-with-japan-and-us-1638">READ: Marcos reaffirms support for trilateral agreement with Japan and US in meeting Japan foreign minister</a></div><p>In response to these developments, Iwaya said that he and Manalo agreed to further strengthen the Japan-Philippines partnership. </p><p>&quot;In particular, we confirm Japan will continue assistance to the Philippines including the OSA [official security assistance] in enhancing maritime security and ODA [official development assistance] for improved maritime safety capabilities,&quot; the Japanese Foreign Minister noted.</p><p>During the bilateral meeting, Iwaya underscored the importance of Japan&#x27;s bilateral ties with the Philippines as well as the trilateral cooperation between the Philippines, Japan and the United States amid the &quot;increasingly severe strategic environment&quot; in the region.</p><p>Manalo also noted that the relationship between the Philippines and Japan is &quot;making great headway&quot; and their trilateral cooperation with the United States.</p><p>The two countries also vowed to continue attaining development goals in the areas of infrastructure particularly the Davao City Bypass Construction Project, flood management and climate change mitigation, according to Manalo.</p><p>He added that he welcomed Japan&#x27;s proposals to cooperate in the areas of ICT, economic resilience and derisking, and on diversification of the telecommunication industry. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/14/philippines-tells-china-to-withdraw-monster-ship-near-zambales-1509" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">READ: Philippines tells China to withdraw monster ship near Zambales</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/15/west-ph-sea-concerns-to-be-raised-in-china-ph-bilateral-meeting-manalo-1543">READ: West PH Sea concerns to be raised in China-PH bilateral meeting -- Manalo</a></div>

<p>Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines to continue assisting in maritime security and cooperation as the two countries' top diplomats expressed concern on the South China Sea and East China Sea tensions.</p>

Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines to continue assisting in maritime security and cooperation as the two countries' top diplomats expressed concern on the South China Sea and East China Sea tensions.

Japan FM reaffirms maritime assistance to PH amid 'grave concern' over heightened South China Sea tensions | ABS-CBN

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Japan FM reaffirms maritime assistance to PH amid 'grave concern' over heightened South China Sea tensions

Japan FM reaffirms maritime assistance to PH amid 'grave concern' over heightened South China Sea tensions

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 15, 2025 05:27 PM PHT

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Japan

Philippines

China

Iwaya Takeshi

South China Sea

East China Sea

Enrique Manalo

West Philippine Sea

maritime conflict

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