President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on Thursday announced the start of negotiations for a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), signaling deeper defense cooperation between Manila and Tokyo amid growing regional security challenges.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference at the Akasaka State House in Tokyo following the leaders’ bilateral meeting.
The proposed agreement seeks to establish a formal system for the sharing and protection of confidential military information between the Philippines and Japan, similar to defense arrangements already maintained by Manila with longtime allies such as the United States.
“We jointly announced the commencement of the negotiations for the General Security of Military Information Agreement as well as for the delimitation of our maritime borders,” Marcos said.
“These are very important steps to further strengthen our defense cooperation and to uphold a rules-based maritime order. They will enhance the mutual trust between our two countries,” he added.
The planned negotiations come as both countries continue expanding security cooperation amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and ongoing maritime disputes.
Takaichi also announced Japan’s plan to transfer Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines as part of broader defense collaboration efforts.
“We also concurred to accelerate the exchange between the defense authorities towards the transfer of Abukuma-class destroyers and others,” the Japanese prime minister said.
“In order to respond to the regional strategic environment, which is growing more severe, Japan will further deepen cooperation with the Philippines,” she added.
Aside from defense matters, the two leaders also witnessed the signing of several agreements involving agriculture, fisheries, health care, human resource development, artificial intelligence, space technology, energy security and supply chain resilience.
“The Philippines and Japanese governments have likewise forged new arrangements that will expand our cooperation in the agricultural and fisheries sector, improve equitable access to quality health services, and continue our long-standing partnership in our human resource development,” Marcos said.
“In addition, we will advance our cooperation in space development and application, artificial intelligence, energy security, and supply chain resilience,” he added.
Takaichi likewise highlighted the signing of a new tax convention and additional cooperation agreements aimed at boosting economic and technological relations between the two nations.
“On top of the new Tax Convention, which was signed just now, we signed an MOC and other documents in the areas of agriculture – international agriculture export, AI, space and human resource development this month,” she said.
Japan also reiterated its support for the Philippines’ bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, reflecting the growing strategic partnership between the two countries.