Tokyo and Manila, the Philippines, have inked two pivotal security agreements to cement a United States-led “Asian NATO” structure that effectively counters Beijing and drastically raises the costs of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, experts say.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi formalized the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) with his counterpart Maria Theresa Lazaro in Manila on Jan. 15, establishing a legal framework to facilitate the mutual exchange of supplies and logistical support between their defense forces.
Alongside the signing, Japan pledged a $6 million Official Security Assistance grant to fund facilities for Japanese-donated rigid-hulled inflatable boats, a step aimed at strengthening the Philippines’ coastal defenses….
Japan–Philippines Defense Pacts Critical to Stifling China Threat: Analysts
