The Philippines’ ambassador to Japan, Jose Laurel V, noted the country has agreed to give 10 coastguard ships and other defence assets to Manila, according to the Philippine Star. Mr Laurel explained the importance of keeping shipping lanes open. He added Japan admires President Rodrigo Duterte and his “fascinating leadership”.
Mr Laurel said: “When the Japanese go south, what is the first country they will reach there? The Philippines. So Japan is a trading country.
“It survives on selling manufactured goods to the world. They have to keep the shipping lanes open.
“So their only way out is towards the south, keep the east Indian Ocean alive and get to Europe. If they want to get to US, then they have to travel towards the west coast of the US.
“You must remember that because we are very intimate friends, Japan greatly also depends on the Philippines.
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“Japan will support the Philippines in its needs, particularly in security.
“That is why among others, Japan is very important not only to the Philippines. But other countries also depend on them.
“So it is also to the interest of Japan that he supports us and vice versa. All of this is interrelated.”
Japan and the Philippines both have territorial disputes with China who claims the South China Sea as its own.
Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also lay claims to the world’s busiest trade route.
Japan and the Philippines joined the US and India for a naval exercise in the disputed seas last week.
The US have conducted dozens of freedom of navigation operations in the area since 2015.
The US also want allies to consider similar manoeuvres.