Philippines Senate ratifies new defence pact with Japan
Al JazeeraDEC 2024
Philippines Ratifies Defense Pact With Japan
Above: The Philippines and Japan sign a key defense pact on July 8, 2024. Image copyright: Ted Aljibe/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The RAA strengthens regional security cooperation and promotes stability in the Indo-Pacific region by enhancing military interoperability and disaster response capabilities between trusted partners, while upholding international law and rules-based order.
Establishment-critical narrative
The agreement represents a concerning military expansion that could escalate regional tensions and trigger an arms race in Southeast Asia, while disregarding historical sensitivities regarding Japan's World War II presence in the Philippines.