Islanders Coalition

Threatened by Chinese advance to South China Sea, Philippine urged Japan to have cooperative efforts to confront the Asian dragon. Benigno Aquino III, President of Republic of Philippines, expressed his expectation that Japan would take positive role in preserving international stability in his visit to Tokyo. Welcoming a supporter on his “proactive pacifism,” Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, answered to Aquino’s request with further provision of arms. The approach of two island countries obviously stimulated Chinese government.

In the speech at the National Diet of Japan, Aquino unequivocally criticized Chinese unilateral assertion of territorial administration and activities of landfill in South China Sea. “With attempts for rewriting geographic borders or authority, prosperity is exposed to a threat,” told Aquino to the lawmakers in Japan of both Houses. He described the relationship with Japan as frontline for reserving freedom and paid respect to Japan’s current effort to renew its security policy. “More than doing its duty to heal injury of the past,” stressed Aquino, “Japan worked hard for reconstruction for ours, not only for itself.”

Aquino and Abe signed a joint statement that shared serious concern on China’s landfill development in Spratly Island in their summit meeting. The agreed with starting a negotiation for exporting Japanese military equipments to Philippine, the outcome which Abe took initiative. Japanese Self-defense Force would further support Philippine Force, including joint exercise on the sea. The equipments may include early-warning aircrafts or submarines.

Philippine expects Japan to make active effort of marine patrolling. It has been frustrated with Chinese unilateral activities, saying it as “violation of action declaration” between China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Aquino stressed positive relationship with Japan, both in politics and economy, to encourage firm involvement in security of Southeast Asia.

However, it is necessary for both nations to have further understanding on their history. In the official dinner in Imperial Palace, Aquino reiterated improvement of the bilateral relationship through “mutual respect, dignity and solidarity.” Emperor Akihito referred to a great number of victims in the battles in Philippines, saying “This is what we Japanese must not forget for a long time.” If Abe wants to sell more arms to Philippine, he needs to make his standpoint on history clear in this seventieth anniversary of World War II.