[ad_1]
The Philippines is a key U.S. alliance building country because of its location in the South China Sea and its proximity to Taiwan, which China claims as its own.
The Philippines’ support would be crucial to the United States in the event of a conflict.
Analyst Gill said Japan is wary of possible changes in U.S. policy in the Asia-Pacific region in the future, while also seeking to “play a greater role” as an independent and stable force.
Tokyo has signed similar reciprocal access agreements with the United Kingdom and Australia in recent years.
The Philippines has similar agreements with the United States and Australia and plans to sign a similar agreement with France.
Japan, which invaded and occupied the Philippines during World War II, is one of the Philippines’ largest overseas development aid donors and a supplier of security equipment.
“The Japanese want the Americans to recognize that Japan is the key to the U.S. security presence and military presence in the region and certainly the most reliable ally of the U.S.,” said Renato Cruz de Castro, a professor of international studies at De La Salle University in Manila.
[ad_2]
Source link
