Latest news with #OfficialSecurityAssistance
Yomiuri Shimbun
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan to Provide Defense Equipment to 8 Countries Under OSA; Framework Helps Like-Minded Nations Enhance Security Capabilities
The government has begun discussing the selection of eight countries in fiscal 2025 as recipients of the Official Security Assistance (OSA) program that provides defense equipment, according to sources. Japan's OSA aims to help like-minded countries enhance their security capabilities by providing the equipment to member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that are located on important points of Japan's sea lanes, and to Pacific island nations where China is increasing its influence. The government plans to provide the OSA aid to the eight countries, including Thailand, the Philippines and Tonga, as eligible recipients that share the same values as Japan. The defense equipment includes things such as unmanned aerial vehicle drones and high-speed patrol boats. Other potential recipients are Indonesia, Malaysia, East Timor, Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea. In addition to Japan's domestically made drones, the government plans to provide military vessels for search and rescue missions and heavy machineries to be utilized in the event of disasters. Related costs for the provisions are estimated to total about ¥8 billion. The OSA is a framework in which Japan can directly assist military forces of like-minded countries and differs from the official development assistance framework in which aid is limited to non-military fields. Since fiscal 2023, the Japanese government has decided to provide coastal surveillance radar, air control radar and high-speed patrol boats to the Philippines and Mongolia.
Nikkei Asia
a day ago
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
Japan doubles security aid recipients, adding Sri Lanka, Thailand
TOKYO -- Japan will double the number of countries that can receive Official Security Assistance (OSA) to eight, strengthening ties with nations directly connected to its maritime security. The countries in the Indo-Pacific region eligible for OSA in fiscal 2025 are the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, as well as the newly added Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, East Timor and Papua New Guinea.
Miami Herald
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US Ally Secures Military Access to Contested South China Sea
Japan's ratification of an agreement allowing reciprocal military visits with the Philippines puts the U.S. allies on a course for greater security cooperation amid regional tensions with China. Newsweek reached out to the Japanese and Chinese Foreign Ministries via email for comment. China's rapid military buildup and overlapping territorial claims have driven Beijing's neighbors to deepen security ties with Washington, as well as with each other, through "mini-laterals" arrangements such as the "Squad" (comprising the U.S., Australia, Japan, and the Philippines), and bilateral frameworks. Japan's National Diet voted Friday to approve a reciprocal access agreement with the Philippines. Manila's legislature ratified the deal six months earlier. The arrangement is expected to enhance interoperability, facilitate military drills, and support joint operations, including disaster relief, according to the agreement. Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner, chief of staff of the Philippine armed forces, in a statement, hailed the pact as a "significant step in advancing bilateral defense cooperation and regional stability." The Philippines is the third country to sign this kind of agreement with Japan, following Australia and the United Kingdom. Japan previously selected the Philippines as the first beneficiary of its Official Security Assistance program for like-minded partners. China has frequently criticized defense cooperation between the Philippines and "outside forces," maintaining that the South China Sea dispute is a bilateral issue. The Philippines is embroiled in a long-standing territorial dispute with China, which has expanded its maritime presence within the maritime zone of its U.S. defense treaty ally. China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea-through which an estimated $3 trillion in trade passes annually-despite a Hague-based arbitral tribunal's 2016 decision that dismissed these claims. A separate dispute also simmers over a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, known in Japan as the Senkakus and in China as the Diaoyu Islands. Both Japanese and Philippine officials-like their American counterparts-have voiced concern over China's growing military activity around Taiwan, the self-ruled democracy that Beijing has vowed to unify with, by force if necessary. Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at China's National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said in February: "Japan seeks to bypass the constraints of its postwar pacifist constitution through defense cooperation with the Philippines." The Japan-Philippines Armed Forces Facilitation Agreement says: "As the security environment in the region becomes increasingly severe, the signing of an important agreement in the field of security with the Philippines, a strategic partner located at a strategic location on sea lanes and sharing fundamental values and principles with Japan, will further promote security and defense cooperation between the two countries and firmly support peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region." Earlier this year, the two countries announced plans for regular meetings to address Philippine defense equipment needs, as well as early efforts to establish an intelligence-sharing framework. Related Articles Map Shows Where Hegseth Wants US Military on China's DoorstepUS Ally Keeps American Missiles at Choke Point Near ChinaVideo Shows Chinese 'Militia' Ship Near US Ally's Disputed TerritoryFootage Shows Chinese Ships Near US Ally's Disputed Island Base 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Ally Secures Military Access to Contested South China Sea
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Japan's ratification of an agreement allowing reciprocal military visits with the Philippines puts the U.S. allies on a course for greater security cooperation amid regional tensions with China. Newsweek reached out to the Japanese and Chinese Foreign Ministries via email for comment. Why It Matters China's rapid military buildup and overlapping territorial claims have driven Beijing's neighbors to deepen security ties with Washington, as well as with each other, through "mini-laterals" arrangements such as the "Squad" (comprising the U.S., Australia, Japan, and the Philippines), and bilateral frameworks. What To Know Japan's National Diet voted Friday to approve a reciprocal access agreement with the Philippines. Manila's legislature ratified the deal six months earlier. The arrangement is expected to enhance interoperability, facilitate military drills, and support joint operations, including disaster relief, according to the agreement. Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner, chief of staff of the Philippine armed forces, in a statement, hailed the pact as a "significant step in advancing bilateral defense cooperation and regional stability." China Coast Guard vessels deploy water cannons at the Philippine military-chartered Unaizah May 4 (R) during its supply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on March 5, 2024. China Coast Guard vessels deploy water cannons at the Philippine military-chartered Unaizah May 4 (R) during its supply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on March 5, 2024. Jam Sta Rosa/AFP via Getty Images The Philippines is the third country to sign this kind of agreement with Japan, following Australia and the United Kingdom. Japan previously selected the Philippines as the first beneficiary of its Official Security Assistance program for like-minded partners. China has frequently criticized defense cooperation between the Philippines and "outside forces," maintaining that the South China Sea dispute is a bilateral issue. The Philippines is embroiled in a long-standing territorial dispute with China, which has expanded its maritime presence within the maritime zone of its U.S. defense treaty ally. China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea—through which an estimated $3 trillion in trade passes annually—despite a Hague-based arbitral tribunal's 2016 decision that dismissed these claims. A separate dispute also simmers over a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, known in Japan as the Senkakus and in China as the Diaoyu Islands. Both Japanese and Philippine officials—like their American counterparts—have voiced concern over China's growing military activity around Taiwan, the self-ruled democracy that Beijing has vowed to unify with, by force if necessary. What People Are Saying Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at China's National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said in February: "Japan seeks to bypass the constraints of its postwar pacifist constitution through defense cooperation with the Philippines." The Japan-Philippines Armed Forces Facilitation Agreement says: "As the security environment in the region becomes increasingly severe, the signing of an important agreement in the field of security with the Philippines, a strategic partner located at a strategic location on sea lanes and sharing fundamental values and principles with Japan, will further promote security and defense cooperation between the two countries and firmly support peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region." What Happens Next Earlier this year, the two countries announced plans for regular meetings to address Philippine defense equipment needs, as well as early efforts to establish an intelligence-sharing framework.
Barnama
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
JS Harusame Makes Port Call In Kuantan, Reflects Growing Japan-Malaysia Defence Ties
KUANTAN, June 9 (Bernama) -- The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF), JS Harusame made a port call here as part of its deployment for counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. Commanded by Commander Makoto Ozawa, the vessel departed from Sasebo on June 1 with approximately 200 personnel onboard, including JMSDF sailors and members of the Japan Coast Guard. 'During this port call, we plan to engage in various exchange activities with the Royal Malaysian Navy,' said Ozawa in a statement today. This marks the fourth visit by JMSDF vessels to Malaysia this year, following their participation in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA). It is also the first visit to Kuantan by a JMSDF vessel since 2019. According to Ozawa, the government of Japan is actively promoting a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" to uphold an international order based on the rule of law. Ozawa said in this context, port visits and bilateral exercises with regional partners like Malaysia are seen as vital to furthering this vision and added that in 2024, the two nations launched their first bilateral exercise, MALPAN, and have already conducted two exercises. Additionally, Japan established the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework in 2023, selecting Malaysia as one of the first four recipient countries. 'Japan will provide security equipment to Malaysia soon. Furthermore, there has been active exchange through study abroad, study visits, and seminars,' he added.
