Philippines: The Philippine-Japan-U.S. Trilateral Defense Mechanism is an efficacious means of conveying the correct message.

Mr. Kunihiko Miyake (right) and Mr. Ronald Mendoza answer questions at the “Strengthening Partnership for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific” forum on March 3 in Makati, Tokyo (via online)On the 3rd, in Makati City, the metropolitan area, titled “Strengthening Partnership for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” exploring the possibility of a trilateral defense mechanism among the United States, Japan, and the Philippines, including territorial disputes in the South China Sea. A forum was opened. The forum was co-organized by the Philippine think tank Stratbase ADR Institute and the Japanese and US embassies in the Philippines, and was held in a hybrid format of face-to-face and online.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister Kenichi Matsuda said, “Amidst a severe security environment, Japan announced a new security policy and related guidelines in December last year. President Marcos, who visited Japan last month, said, He welcomed Japan’s efforts to maintain and develop a free and open rules-based international order.”
One of the speakers, Kunihiko Miyake, senior researcher at the Canon Institute for Global Studies, a Japanese think tank, and visiting professor at Ritsumeikan University, prefaced by saying, “I want to speak as a private person, not as a propaganda of the Japanese government.” Power Pointer shows a picture of the late Prime Minister Abe at the 2018 G7 Summit in Canada, and a picture of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin shaking hands. He showed the symbolic contrast composition on both sides of the cover of John Bolton’s memoir “The Room Where It Happened.”
Mr. Miyake compares what is happening in the world with the titles of the movie “Star Wars” series, “Dark Awakening (original title: The Force Awakens)”, “Nuclear Threat (original title: “Phantom Menace”)”. And so on, and excited the venue with his own point of view. In addition, what can be learned from Russia’s war in Ukraine is that (1) there is no defense without force, (2) there is no victory without information warfare, and (3) Japan does not believe that the United States is there, and that the United States will not help Japan unless it fights. also developed his theory.
Mr. Miyake said the Japanese government was “very positive” about the treaty on the handling of visiting troops in the Philippines, and said the future conclusion of the deal would be “not a tool to coerce foreign countries, but an endorsement of international law.” “It’s a way to send the right message to those who don’t comply and are trying to change the status quo by force.” “Then they will be more cautious,” he added.
Furthermore, Miyake said the establishment of multi-layered security among the Philippines, Japan and the United States was a “natural process.” “The[security environment]is changing and people need to understand it. We should be politically correct without sending the wrong signal to the other side. It may take time, but The most important thing is that we have that intention, put it into action, and continue to do so so as not to cause misunderstandings on the other side,” he stressed, emphasizing the necessity of maritime patrols in four countries, including Australia. I also touched on
Ronald Mendoza, an economist and member of the United Nations Commission of Administrative Experts, emphasized the fact that Japan’s sustainable and inclusive development has been a boon to the Philippines. “Despite its tumultuous history, Japan has become one of Asia’s closest and most trusted democratic partners,” he said, adding that “the economic and security strengths both countries have built up.” In polls on whether Filipinos trust other countries, Japan ranks at or near the top, along with the United States, Canada, and Australia. China came last,” he added.
However, Mendoza said, “This partnership is forged in uncertain times, and economic cooperation is more certain now, especially at a time when geopolitical risks are heightened by heightened tensions between China and the United States.” Awareness is important,” he said. (Kaoru Okada)