Japan, Philippines discuss defense agreement to deal with regional tensions

In January, Japan signed a defense cooperation pact with Australia — the first such agreement for Canberra other than with the United States, which is Japan’s only ally.

Canberra has an alliance with New Zealand so thats two. A similar or deeper agreement with UK so thats three. The five powers agreement includes Malaysia and Singapore so thats five other nations, apart from Japan, the Australia has defense pacts, agreements, alliances with.

Australian UK relationship goes much further than any document. They have been allies through two world wars and a number of other conflicts and UN sponsored police actions over more than 100 years.

The "statement" is therefore misleading and not exactly accurate. Given that whatever agreement Japan and Australia signed in January is unique on some points, it is not anywhere near as exclusive as just US and Japan in nature or effect.

Japan Philippines agreement shows China is responsible for many bilateral cooperation agreements in the region and beyond. They just all happen to be against China's military expansion desires.

China should remain quiet and concentrate on trade rather than being the strongest nation. They can not take on a majority of the world with their power and win. Trade is another matter entirely if they just concentrate on that rather than empire building.

China is presently the most hated and feared country in Asia. Asian nations are forming agreements and alliances to protect themselves from China's territorial expansion. The current invasion of Ukraine by Russia has furthered that need.

Kind of pathetic don't ya think?

The 4 ministers agreed to strongly oppose actions that may increase tensions whilst looking into the possibilities of further expanding defense capabilities .

Too petrified to outright say its China that they are obviously talking about.

Japan and the Philippines sound as if they are pathetically cowering in the corner with their heads between their legs .

Make a stand for God's sake !

Philippines playing both sides!

Too petrified to outright say its China that they are obviously talking about.

Sigh. Good diplomats, as opposed to the wolf warrior thugs China pretends are diplomats, never make blunt threats except in the most dire circumstances but instead use indirect couched language. The other side knows exactly what they are saying but this way Japan and Philippines can say with a straight face they never directly threatened China. This is how good diplomacy is conducted.

Too petrified to outright say its China that they are obviously talking about.

DT's right. Diplo-speak allows each and all to exactly know what the others are talking about, with honor. The diplomatic corp, with few exceptions, are staffed largely by professionals; and few - if any - can rightly be accused of being "too petrified" to perform their mission in advancing their country's interest. No matter what the popular polls say about their country's interests.

For some time to come, freely expect to see more articles like this one, as countries boost trade and strategic alliances with similarly like-minded countries, as they seek economic advantage ahead of uncertain financial times on the near horizon.

Tortoise,we are only challenging Russia,they been castrated,by having their ball been served to them in Ukraine

Tortoise,we are only challenging Russia,they been castrated,by having their ball been served to them in Ukraine

The deal with the Philippines concerns containing China, not Russia.

Try to avoid overconfidence. The Russians still control a lot of Ukraine territory and the war is far from over. The Russians can do an awful lot of damage shooting missiles into Ukraine from aircraft that are flying over the Rodina. I think in the long run western arms will allow Ukraine to prevail but I don't think they will get some of their territory back such as Crimea unless there is a major political upheaval in Russia itself. When the Russians finally settle the peace may look something like the deal Finland signed with the USSR where they surrendered a bit of land close to Leningrad in exchange for peace. What I don't see Russia ever succeeding in is getting Ukraine to give up on NATO membership. Maybe five years ago but not now.

"Though it was implicit that China was their main concern, they carefully avoided identifying that country by name."

Regional tensions? What a crock. Duterte is sucking everything out of China that he can get including Chinese infrastructure projects all over the islands. You can bet that he, at least, "CAREFULLY avoided identifying that country by name". The Chinese don't 'conquer', they 'seduce' the psychopathic rulers of their targets with generous nonmonetary rewards which they allow the rulers to take credit for and their methods are beneficial for both parties and require no sacrifice of innocent lives.

"In January, Japan signed a defense cooperation pact with Australia — the first such agreement for Canberra other than with the United States, which is Japan’s only ally."

What a poor use of the word "ally" to describe a militarily occupied vassal of the American Empire and largely the reason Japan may have no other 'allies'.

Liberty in Olongapo .......... Just saying .....