Japan and the Philippines are considering rotational troop deployments of the Japanese Self-Defense Force troops (JSDF) to the Philippines, according to a statement from the Philippine ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez, made on April 3rd.
Romualdez insisted that the Philippines consider Japan a close ally alongside the U.S. Japan also has a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines.
The rotational deployment of JSDF forces would mean troops running patrols in areas near temporary stations. The idea has been discussed in the past and will be discussed in the future, according to Romualdez.
The Philippines is currently in a territorial dispute with China within the West Philippine Sea, hoping to bolster cooperation with Japan and the United States to keep China in check.
Romualdez also said that the Philippines is considering signing an information protection agreement with Japan, boosting security cooperation with Japan.
