As Manila modernizes its military, new opportunities emerge for Tokyo

MANILA/TOKYO –

To boost its military capabilities and bridge key gaps with China, the Philippines is turning to top partners such as Japan for support — part of a multipronged approach that includes boosting defense spending, expanding joint security activities and stepping up defense-industrial tie-ups.

“We are looking into closer cooperation with Japan, as we see significant potential in this,” Philippine military spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told The Japan Times in a recent interview.

“We are particularly interested in Japan’s expertise in areas such as radar and unmanned systems, as well as shipbuilding,” she added.