Japan's PM Kishida strengthens alliances amid maritime tensions on Philippine patrol ship tour

Japan's Prime Minister joins Philippine patrol ship in a symbolic gesture of solidarity, strengthening regional alliances against China's assertiveness in maritime disputes, reported ABC News.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida concluded his two-day visit to Manila with a symbolic visit to the Japanese-built BRP Teresa Magbanua, which was docked at Manila harbor. During his visit, he discussed defense cooperation with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., emphasizing their mutual concerns about China's actions in the region.
"I truly hope that this will lead to regional peace and prosperity as well as a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Kishida addressed senior Philippine government and coast guard officials on board the Magbanua, one of Manila's largest patrol ships, which is part of the city's financially constrained coast guard.

In recent years, Japan has supplied the Philippines with twelve patrol ships, including the 97-meter-long Magbanua, which Manila's coast guard primarily deploys for safeguarding sovereignty, logistical support, and the rotation of navy and marine personnel to nine strategic locations within the South China Sea.

This has brought the Philippine vessels into potential conflict with China's substantial coast guard and navy forces in the South China Sea, as China asserts extensive territorial claims over the region. Alongside China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also assert their claims over sections or the entirety of this crucial global trade route.
The Philippines has vehemently objected to the Chinese coast guard's use of blinding laser beams and water cannons in distinct events this year. Furthermore, it expressed concern over China's blockade, which resulted in two minor collisions last month near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, as reported by ABC News.

In August, while the Magbanua attempted to reach the shoal, which had long been encircled by Chinese vessels, the Philippine coast guard reported that a Chinese coast guard ship assumed a blocking position with exposed 70 mm weaponry. During their discussions in Manila on Friday, Kishida and Marcos concurred to initiate negotiations for a significant defense pact, the