The Philippines and Japan on Thursday signed a strategic security agreement that would lead to the sale by Tokyo of military hardware and transfer of technology to Manila to counter China’s increasing aggressiveness in the disputed South China Sea. The agreement sealed an emerging coalition between the two Asia-Pacific nations locked in maritime disputes with China in the biggest realignment of the balance of power in the region since the end of World War II. The agreement highlighted the four-day visit of President Aquino to Japan, which agreed to rearm the Philippines to enable it to put up a credible defense against China’s increasing encroachment on Philippine territory in the South China Sea. Weapons sales to the Philippines may include antisubmarine reconnaissance aircraft and radar technology, according to Japanese media reports.

Doronila, A. (2015, June 8). Security deal seals PH-Japan alliance. Philippine Daily Inquirer, pp. A1, A20.