By Velle White

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) on Saturday said the port call of two of their destroyers in Manila is a 'strengthening' of naval cooperation between the Philippines and Japan amidst the maritime climate in the Indo-Pacific Region and the recent ratification of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the two nations.

JS Ise, a Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer and the Takanami-class JS Suzunami docked at Pier 15 at Port Area at 10:30 am. These were welcomed by the Philippine Navy band before a disembarkation ceremony was held for naval officers of various countries who took part in the JMSDF's Ship Rider Cooperation Program.

"The vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific is to aim to facilitate free and robust economic activity throughout the Indo-Pacific and to realize the prosperity in the entire region,” Rear Admiral Natsui Takashi, commander of the JMSDF Escort Flotilla Four, said in his arrival speech.

“The Indo-Pacific region, including Manila, is at the center of the world's vitality, home to more than half of the world’s population. Realizing the stable and autonomous development is crucial for the stability and prosperity in the region,” Natsui added.

Natsui said that the JMSDF's deployment to the Philippines is not targeted at any specific country, albeit still acknowledging that attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the area by force are 'serious challenges' to the rules-based international order.

“I recognize that unilateral changes in the status quo by force are serious challenges to the international order based on the rule of law,” Natsui said during a short interview aboard JS Ise.

"The JMSDF has continued to watch Chinese naval activities and take preparations for ISR [intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance]," he added.

The Japanese admiral even hinted at more naval engagements between the Philippines and Japan following the ratification of the RAA, such as naval exercises with the Philippine Navy to strengthen their interoperability.

"Through this agreement, we can simplify the procedures for mutual cooperative activities. I understand that it will make two countries cooperate more smoothly. I hope that the relationship between the JMSDF and the Philippine Navy will be more strengthened," Natsui said.

The two vessels, part of JMSDF Escort Flotilla Four, left Japan on June 14 for a three-month deployment under the Indo-Pacific Deployment (IPD) 2025 with like-minded nations through the Ship Rider Cooperation Program, where various exercises and discussions were held with 20 naval and maritime officers from 19 countries - including Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) members, Timor-Leste, and the Pacific Islands - aboard JS Ise.

The Japanese Diet recently ratified the RAA in early June, following the Philippine's Senate ratification in December 2024, allowing Japanese soldiers to enter the Philippines for joint drills with Filipino soldiers and vice versa.

A reception aboard JS Ise is scheduled for Monday evening to be attended by officials of Philippines and Japan.

The port call is the third visit of JMSDF to the Philippines since 2014, and JS Ise's second visit to the country following its 2017 visit to Subic. Velle White/DMS