Japan planning to export used warships to the Philippines as a countermeasure against China, according to Yomiuri news.
In the South China Sea, the Philippine Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) have been participating in a series of joint naval exercises aimed at enhancing regional security and countering Chinese maritime assertiveness.
The latest exercise, which took place on June 14, 2025, was a bilateral anti-submarine warfare exercise in the West Philippine Sea, a part of the South China Sea. The Philippine Navy's BRP Miguel Malvar frigate, an AW159 anti-submarine helicopter, a Philippine Air Force C-208 ISR aircraft, and search and rescue units were involved, alongside the JMSDF's destroyer, the JS Takanami, and an SH-60K Seahawk helicopter.
The exercises included communication checks, division tactics, cross-deck exercises, and a final exercise designed to enhance interoperability and maritime security. These were the first major joint activities following the ratification of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan, aimed at facilitating cooperative defense activities.
Shortly after the bilateral naval exercise, the Philippines, Japan, and the United States commenced their second round of trilateral coast guard exercises hosted in Japanese waters. The five-day drills included search and rescue operations simulating vessel collisions off southern Kyushu, aiming to enhance cooperation and preparedness in maritime law enforcement and search and rescue operations.
These exercises reaffirm the mutual commitment of the Philippines and Japan to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, in line with international law including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Both nations face persistent Chinese maritime assertiveness and incursions, prompting them to deepen defense ties and improve maritime domain awareness and operational coordination. The addition of the U.S. in trilateral coast guard efforts further enhances regional security collaboration and response capabilities.
The joint naval exercises and trilateral coast guard drills signal a robust multilateral effort to counterbalance Chinese maritime aggression and uphold a rules-based order in the region. However, it is important to note that these exercises did not involve any other countries or military forces besides the Philippine Navy and the JMSDF, and the destination or direction of the ships after the exercise was not mentioned.
Meanwhile, in Korea, the U.S. Navy is involved in naval exercises and operations, with close approaches from the Chinese Navy being noted. Korean and U.S. Navy sailors have reflected on shared sacrifices and commitments at locations such as the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan.
Recent developments in the region's naval landscape include Hanwha's attempt to reverse-engineer a U.S. Navy ship in a bid for a $14.5B market, underscoring the strategic significance of these naval interactions.
[1] AFP, "Philippine, Japanese navies hold joint anti-submarine exercise in South China Sea," June 14, 2025. [2] Reuters, "Philippines, Japan, U.S. hold trilateral coast guard exercises in Japan," June 18, 2025. [3] Nikkei Asia, "Philippines-Japan-U.S. trilateral drills underscore growing naval ties," June 18, 2025. [4] Yonhap News Agency, "Chinese ships shadow Philippine-Japan naval exercise in South China Sea," June 14, 2025.
- The joint naval exercises between the Philippine Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) serve as a testament to the business partnership of both countries in the defense industry, with the goal of strengthening their response capabilities against war-and-conflicts and maintaining regional security.
- The recent trilateral coast guard exercises involving the Philippines, Japan, and the United States signify a shift in political alliances, as these nations work together to address common challenges such as countering Chinese maritime assertiveness and enhancing maritime law enforcement, which are general news topics of significant importance.
- As other nations, such as Korea, have also seen proximity with the Chinese Navy in their waters, daily developments in the region's naval landscape reflect the broader context of global politics in terms of defense, war-and-conflicts, business, and international relations.
