THE Philippines and Japan welcomed the Ministerial meeting to advance bilateral security and defense cooperation between the two countries amid the longstanding and emerging challenges to regional peace and stability.

This, during the first Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (2+2) yesterday in Tokyo, Japan, was a significant milestone in the decade-old strategic partnership.

The Philippine delegation was co-led by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. and Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana.

Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi Yoshimasa and Minister of Defense Kishi Nobuo led the Japanese side.

The ministers hailed the establishment of the 2+2 talks as a key aspect of deepening security and defense cooperation between the two countries.

They also issued a “Joint Statement” reflecting the discussions and the points of consensus they reached.

Both sides noted the terms of reference on the 2+2 talks. The 2+2 with Japan is the Philippines’ second, after the United States.

In his closing remarks, Locsin said, “We have laid the groundwork for the next decade of our strategic partnership. We have achieved a substantive clarification of all the issues and, in many of them, produced consensus. The security ties we are developing are much less than those of an alliance but much more than a cordial relationship.”

In addition to the 2+2 Meeting, Locsin and Lorenza separately met with their respective counterparts for bilateral discussions.

In his meeting with Hayashi, Locsin highlighted the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, and functional fields.

Japan has been a reliable partner of the Philippines in its development agenda, capability-building initiatives, and COVID-19 recovery efforts.

Both sides agreed on the importance of rules-based order that will allow both countries to remain resilient in light of emerging realities in the geopolitical arena.

Locsin and Lorenzana paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister (PM) Kishida Fumio on April 8, 2022, ahead of the 2+2 meeting.

The Prime Minister welcomed the two Philippine ministers to Japan and recalled his visits to the Philippines.

PM Kishida said that PH-Japan relations enjoy a “golden age” and expressed confidence in the success of the inaugural 2+2 meeting.