Interview With Former Japanese Defense Minister Points to Increasing Relations with the Philippines

On July 11th, a reporter from Japanese broadcaster NHK interviewed former Japanese Defense Minister Onodera Itsunori about the recent base access agreement signed between the Philippines and Japan. Itsunori discussed various aspects of the expanding Japan-Philippine relationship, ranging from how Japan views the Philippines to how the country would respond if there was an incident in the South China Sea (SCS). However, the former minister mentioned that the Philippines requested additional assistance to develop an air defense system for the country..NHK Interview with former Japanese Defense Minister Onodera Itsunori.During the interview, Itsunori said that Japan would need to improve the Philippines' capabilities if the countries were to increase cooperation. He said that Japan would greatly benefit if the improvements enhanced the Philippines' ability to protect its territorial waters. Itsunori then mentioned the ways Japan could aid the Philippines. Previously, Japan transferred training aircraft from the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF), coastal surveillance and other vessels, and air surveillance radars to the Philippines to enhance its defense capabilities. However, Itsunori also pointed out that Japan could provide funding and technology to develop the shipyard at Subic Bay to begin designing and building various types of ships..Itsunori said that if Japan and the Philippines could develop the Subic Bay shipyard to jointly develop and produce vessels for export to other countries in the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN), it would increase their capabilities to defend their waters. Japan would also benefit from increasing the security capabilities of ASEAN countries that have territorial waters in the SCS. Itsunori also discussed the possibility of Japan aiding the Philippines to develop the undeveloped land around the former Clark Airbase to become an aircraft maintenance and production site. The site could then become the core facility of the Philippines' own aircraft industry, which would enable the country to export or transfer equipment to ASEAN and other regional countries..The former defense minister discussed the possibility that the Philippines would share the information it gathered using the air and coastal surveillance radars that Japan provided. He pointed out that the Philippines are placing most of these systems in the SCS and will continue to do so, and "the information they collect will be very useful for Japan because the seas are connected." Japan would also share the information it gathers from the radars and possibly other sensors deployed to monitor the East China Sea (ECS). Itsunori said both countries would benefit from Japan sharing the information with the Philippines because it allows both to understand the full situation in the First Island Chain (FIC). Japanese and Philippine officials confirmed that information-sharing cooperation would be possible, and that radars would be the same kind Japan uses to allow for easier cooperation..The reporter also asked Itsunori about the possibility of Japan selling the Mitsubishi F-X, which the country is developing with the UK and Italy. The minister said that they flew in one of the Philippines' fighter jets, likely the FA-50PH, but said that "it was old." He also pointed out that the Philippines only have 15 FA-50PHs, but only half are operational, and they want newer aircraft. However, Itsunori said it would be approximately 15 years before the F-X would be operational, so the Philippines will probably buy aircraft from the US or from other countries. He speculated that "when the Philippines grows economically and wants fifth- or sixth-generation aircraft," the country would become an important partner for Japan's defense industry..The former minister said that Japan, the Philippines, and the United States "have finally been able to conduct defense drills together." The Philippines wants to conduct more extensive drills with Japan in the future, and that is why both countries signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement to allow for a smooth process. Itsunori also said that Japan's radars are highly regarded because the country "doesn't just sell the equipment but provides maintenance." Furthermore, he pointed out that the Philippines and other countries that bought equipment may not have the necessary capabilities to maintain it when it breaks down or requires new parts. Japan is "always able to maintain it and raise the operation rate" of the systems, so Japan will be "a good partner" for the Philippines. Itsunori said the Philippines requested more aid and voiced the opinion that the country needs more radar systems. However, he also said that both countries discussed the possibility of Japan providing the Philippines with Surface to Air Missile (SAM) systems and other equipment to develop an air defense system..Japan's Surface to Air Missile Systems .Japan manufactures various SAM systems that the country could sell or transfer to the Philippines. These include the legacy Type 81, Type 93, and Improved HAWK (I-HAWK) SAM systems, as well as more modern systems such as the Type 03 and Type 11 systems. The Type 81, Type 93, Type 03, and Type 11 systems are produced by Toshiba, while the I-HAWK Phase III system is produced and upgraded under license by Mitsubishi and Toshiba. The Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) operates the Type 81, the I-HAWK Phase III, Type 03, and Type 11 SAM systems, with the JASDF operating the Type 93. The Self Defense Force is scheduled to decommission the Type 93 and the I-HAWK systems in 2024..Increasing Philippine-Japanese Defense Relationship will Face Obstacles from Article Nine.Itsunori's comments during the interview point to Japan and the Philippines wanting to increase their defense relationship beyond the military exercises to include capacity building and possibly military equipment sales and transfers. Japan, however, would face significant limitations regarding its ability to sell weapon systems to the Philippines due to its constitution's Article 9 and the pacifist attitudes among some political parties. Japan views the Philippines as important to its national security since it is an integral part of the FIC. However, Japan also views the Philippines as not having the necessary military capabilities to successfully defend its territorial waters in the SCS from China. Japan chose the Philippines to be the first country to receive military equipment under the Official Security Assistance (OSA) program, which aims to increase the defense capabilities of "like-minded countries.".The former defense minister also implied that Japan will assist the Philippines in developing its infrastructure to increase its aircraft and ship manufacturing capabilities. Specifically, Japan would use the OSA program to assist the Philippines in developing the necessary infrastructure because it would enhance the country's deterrence capabilities. Japan wants to increase the Philippines' manufacturing capabilities to help the country become self-sufficient in designing and building aircraft and certain kinds of vessels, such as coastal surveillance boats. Furthermore, Japan also sees the development of the Philippine manufacturing sector as helping the region and, more specifically, ASEAN countries, which have disputes in the SCS with China..The most significant of Itsunori's comments was him briefly pointing out that the Philippines and Japan discussed the potential to sell or transfer SAM systems to the country to help it create an air defense system. Japan provided air and coastal surveillance radars to increase the Philippines' defense capabilities and secure its territorial waters in the SCS. However, the Philippines' request that Japan consider selling or transferring SAM systems would be a significant expansion of the OSA program. Japan's selling or transferring SAM systems would go beyond what would be considered valid assistance under the OSA and be against Article 9 of the country's constitution. While Japan previously relaxed the ban on the export of defense technologies and systems to other countries, this was done specifically to allow the country to cooperate in the F-X program. The Liberal Democracy Party government negotiated with its junior political party, the pacifist Komeito Party, to revise the regulations. The regulations, specifically, do not allow Japan to sell or transfer weapon systems that the country domestically produces, such as the Type 81, Type 03, or Type 11 SAM systems..However, Japan is likely to find loopholes to get around Article 9 to allow the sale or transfer of the SAM systems to the Philippines. Japan would sell or transfer the I-HAWK Phase III systems to the Philippines, either directly or indirectly. The government would argue that the I-HAWK systems are licensed, so they could transfer the weapons to the Philippines if the licensee is based in the country. Alternatively, Japan could indirectly transfer the equipment to the Philippines via the United States because the country would be considered the original licensee of the system. The government would negotiate with the Komeito Party to prevent it from opposing the deal and to allow for either the direct or indirect sale or transfer of the I-HAWKs. Japan would be open to selling or transferring any of its indigenously produced SAM systems but would be barred from doing so by both Article 9 and the Komeito Party's opposition.