Japan has begun full-scale talks with the Philippines on exporting used Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer escorts, the first such ship-export discussions since Tokyo effectively allowed exports of defense equipment with lethal capability last month. The move comes as Japan accelerates defense sales and security ties in Southeast Asia, raising the prospect of competition with South Korean defense firms.
The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nikkei and Asahi Shimbun reported Tuesday that Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met Monday in Manila with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. They agreed to set up a working-level group to discuss exporting used MSDF destroyer escorts and signed a joint statement to expand cooperation on defense equipment and technology.
The ships under consideration include the Abukuma-class destroyer escorts, a six-ship class commissioned from 1989 to 1993. The multipurpose vessels can carry anti-submarine and anti-ship missiles and torpedoes. With more than 30 years in service, Japan’s Defense Ministry is moving to retire them in stages. The working group will also discuss the transfer of the MSDF’s TC-90 training aircraft, along with training, maintenance and operations support.
The talks follow Japan’s April 21 revision of guidelines for its “Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology,” which had limited exports to five categories — rescue, transport, warning, surveillance and minesweeping — known as the “five types.” With that restriction removed, exports of destroyer escorts with lethal capability became possible in principle.
Asahi said that if the export is realized, it would be the first case since the rules were eased. Koizumi said the revision would “further strengthen Japan’s contribution to peace and stability in the region and the world,” and Teodoro expressed support and expectations, the reports said.
Japan and the Philippines have been tightening security cooperation amid China’s expanding maritime activities. In their joint statement, the two sides named China and said they shared “serious concerns” about “coercive activities” in the East China Sea and South China Sea. They also reaffirmed strong opposition to attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force.
Nikkei said the cooperation could extend beyond arms exports to Japan’s broader strategic posture. If the Philippines adopts Japanese destroyer escorts, Japan could build local facilities capable of maintaining MSDF ships, expanding its operational base in Southeast Asia. It could also help disperse MSDF forces in an emergency, the paper said.
Japan has rapidly expanded security cooperation with the Philippines. Coastal surveillance radar provided through Japan’s Official Security Assistance program has been deployed in the Philippines this year, and the two sides are coordinating a possible export of information processing and command-and-control systems, Asahi reported. The Philippines is also said to be interested in the Ground Self-Defense Force’s Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile, which intercepts enemy aircraft and cruise missiles.
Institutional hurdles remain before any ship transfer. The Philippine side is reported to want a free or low-cost transfer, which would require revising Japan’s Self-Defense Forces law. Yomiuri and Asahi said the Japanese government plans to pursue legal changes in next year’s regular Diet session.
Japan’s push to broaden security ties is not limited to the Philippines. Prime Minister Takaichi held a summit in Australia on Sunday and agreed to proceed smoothly with a project to jointly develop new Australian Navy ships based on an improved version of Japan’s Mogami-class destroyer escort. Also Sunday in northern Philippines, the Self-Defense Forces took part in a large-scale U.S.-Philippine exercise, Balikatan, in what was described as its first full participation. A total of 17,000 personnel from seven countries — Japan, the United States, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, France and Canada — joined the drills, with Japan dispatching about 1,400 troops.
As Japan expands defense exports, some analysts see likely competition with South Korea’s defense industry. Renato De Castro, a professor at De La Salle University in the Philippines, told Asahi that Japanese products are expensive and that South Korean firms already have a foothold in the Philippines, making competition unavoidable. He also cited the challenge of building maintenance systems for exported weapons. South Korea has expanded defense cooperation with the Philippines by exporting FA-50 light attack aircraft and warships, among other items.
In Japan, critics have also voiced concern about a government more willing to export weapons. Asahi reported that at a pro-constitution rally held Saturday on Japan’s Constitution Memorial Day, Japanese Communist Party leader Tomoko Tamura criticized Japan for becoming a “merchant of death” nation. Some participants also warned that Japan’s postwar principle of exclusively defense-oriented policy under its pacifist constitution is being undermined.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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