December 8, 2025: Japan's new Woman Prime Minister is a Right Wing Hardliner, she was elected into Office because many Japanese didn't like the relaxed Immigration Policies of the previous Administration.
However, she is also not afraid to confront China, that is why there is a lot of Tension between the two Countries now.
Japan is also now relaxing further their Laws for the export of Military Equipment under this new Administration, and the Philippines could be one of the most immediate Beneficiaries of that.
February 19, 2025: Japan wants to export more Radars, their High Mobility Vehicles and do a Joint Venture for “Destroyers” with the Philippines
Another Update on the Modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), this time from Japan, specifically the Japanese News Publication "The Yomiuri Shimbun" who wrote that a new Framework Agreement is now being made for possible further Military Exports by Japan to the Philippines.
These Exports are reportedly the following:
* More Radars
* The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) High Mobility Vehicle (HMV)
* The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Destroyers, of which a Joint Development is being planned
MY NOTES:
The JGSDF HMV is likely to be the Toyota Mega Cruiser which is their main HMV as of now. The "Destroyer" Joint Venture could in Fact be the Mogami-class Frigate of which Japan is also discussing a Joint Development with Indonesia.
If so, I'm glad that Japan is also considering a Joint Development with us for it. With these Developments, it looks like Japan is now challenging South Korea (SK) for the supply of Military Assets to the Philippines.
Japanese Military Equipment tend to be quite expensive, though, but with Japan's deep Pockets (not as deep as China's, though), they could help us out in Terms of Loans, much like they do with our Infrastructure.
I thought about making this into a Video, but it has no Specifics thus far, so just let the Greedy, Anti-China-Pro-United States (US) Syndicate Fakks out there on YouTube who have been constantly Mass Reporting and causing the Shadow Banning of my China Videos have a Field Day with the Information instead, then.
I have overflowing Ideas for Videos anyway to the Point I don’t know anymore which ones to make or do first.
Here is the Link to the Article at “The Japan News” Website: https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250219-239473/
July 6, 2025: PN confirms possible transfer of used, “Japan Surplus” Abukuma-class Ships, but Joint Development needed for Offensive Weapons
The Philippine Navy (PN) just officially confirmed through a Statement to the Press the possible transfer of used, "Japan Surplus" (:D) Abukuma-class Destroyer Escorts to them, and are now making Preparations to conduct a Joint Visual Inspection (JVI) soon.
A Delegation of Naval Experts are to conduct the In-Depth Assessment of the Ships, after which further Deliberations will be made if the Vessels will indeed be acquired or not.
Meanwhile, here are more Details of the possible acquisition from to original Article of the "Yomiuri Shimbun", the Japanese News Publication which first wrote the News about it:
* The Operational Guidelines for Japan's "Three Principles on the Transfer of Defense Equipment" limits any Transfer of Defense Material to only five Types: For Rescue, Transport, Alert, Surveillance and Minesweeping.
* Weapons Platforms with "High Offensive Capability" such as Destroyers cannot be directly exported.
* However, such Platforms can be exported by using a "Loophole" or Technicality, and that is if they go through a "Joint Development".
* For the Abukuma-class Vessels, Japan intends to modify its Specifications by incorporating Equipment and Communication Facilities that are required by the Philippines, thus allowing their Export.
MY THOUGHTS:
Based on the above News Items, it seems that first, the transfer is not final yet, the PN wants to see the Vessels first and then discuss Things more with Japan and themselves if they still want the Ships after the inspection.
Second, I now have some of Doubts about this transfer because of the listed Restrictions. Yes, there are Loopholes, but there will be costs involved in using those Loopholes, and unless Japan shoulders some or most of it, then the PN will again have to find where to get the Money for them.
Also this puts into Doubt the export of Japanese Weapons themselves, unless the Terms “Offensive Weapons” and “Joint Development” are more readily defined. What are the exact Definitions of these? In Theory, I think a Pistol on board a Ship being fired by a Person can be considered as an “Offensive Weapon” also.
Also what does “Joint Development” mean? Does changing the Markings on a Missile for example, already constitute as such? Again, the Definition will be Critical. But bottom line, the export of High End Weapons Systems from Japan will likely be complicated and costs Money as long as they don’t revise their Laws.
In my Opinion, I think the Japanese Defense Manufacturers are eager to export their Products, but are being slowed down by their current Laws. I think that somewhere out there, the South Korean and Indian Defense Manufacturers are now smiling ... LOL
SOURCES:
July 6, 2025: Unconfirmed Report say that Japan is set to export their second hand Abukuma class Destroyer Escort Vessels to the Philippines
The Japanese News Publication "Yomiuri Shimbun" reported recently that Japan is set to export its used Abukuma class Destroyer Escorts to the Philippines, citing multiple anonymous Japanese Government Officials.
The Philippines' Defense Secretary Gilbero Teodoro reportedly agreed to the export when he met with Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in Singapore last Month of June 2025. But so far, both the Governments of Japan and the Philippines have refused to confirm yet the Transaction as of now.
The Abukuma class Vessels first entered service with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) in the 1990s, have a Displacement of 2,000 tons, Length of 109 meters and Top Speed of 50 kilometers per hour.
They are equipped with Air and Surface Search Radars and Bow-mounted Sonars. For Cannons they have an Oto Melara Compact 76 mm caliber Main Gun and a Phalanx Close In Weapons System (CIWS).
They each can carry four RGM-84 Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles, have an eight round Launcher for the Anti-Submarine Rockets (ASROC) and two Triple Launchers for Lightweight Torpedoes.
MY THOUGHTS:
Note that the word “export” is used, so it looks like we are buying these, hopefully at a reasonable Price, and that Japan will give us a good Loan Deal for them. These Ships seem to be pretty decent All-Around, General Purpose Ships, but lacking in Air Support since it doesn’t have Facilities for Aircraft.
I would rate these as somewhat in the same League as the former Pohang-class Vessels, but we only got one of those so far as of now and we’re getting six of these. The Abukuma class Ships are around three Decades old now, but are generally younger than the former Hamilton and former Pohang class Vessels that we have.
I hope that the Harpoon Missiles and Phalanx will be included in the Export, but I’m not too optimistic about it. I think the ASROC Launcher though will be included as it was License-built by Japan. Overall aside from its Age, I can’t think much of anything Negative about these Ships as of now.
They are not anywhere as capable as China’s Frigates and Destroyers, but much better than most of our Ships right now.
SOURCES:
January 14, 2024: Japanese Lawmakers visits China to meet with Communist Party Officials
Japan is moving forward with its ongoing Program of establishing friendlier Relations with China when not only are they having Military Exchanges with China as I have been reporting since last Month of December 2024, but their Lawmakers have now also gone over to China for an Official Visit recently.
The Political Party of the current Prime Minster of Japan Shigeru Ishiba, the "Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)" sent a Delegation composed of twelve People to the Capital City of China, Beijing to meet with Top Officials of the Communist Party of China.
Both Sides agreed to continue their Cooperation, and to conduct even more Exchanges at all Levels for the rest of this Year of 2025. As I mentioned also in a separate Report recently, this is Part of the Preparations for the planned official State Visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Japan sometime later this Year.
Again, nothing has been settled as far as the Territorial Disputes regarding the Senkaku Islands between these two Countries, but now they are both seeking to establish Friendlier Relations.
Exchanges like this are currently unthinkable under the current Administration of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) as Lawmakers from his Political Party and its Allies have been at the forefront of Anti-China, Pro-United States (US) Sentiment lately.
SOURCES:
January 14, 2025: Chinese Military visits Japan as Part of the latest Military Exchange Program
A Delegation from the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China visited Japan and met with Japanese Defense and Military Officials recently. This comes after the Visit of Japanese Military Officer to China last Month of December 2024.
This Exchange of Military Visits comes as Japan is seeking to ease Tensions with China, and more Exchanges are expected in the near Future. Japanese Lawmakers are expected to visit China soon as both Countries are paving the Way for the likely State Visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Japan sometime this Year of 2025.
Remember that Japan and China have an intense Territorial Dispute over the Senkaku Islands where both Sides engaged in “Bumper Boat” and “Water Cannon” Wars several Years ago, and yet here they are now, despite the Fact that nothing has been resolved yet between them over that Dispute.
I admire Japan’s Independence and Pragmatism, something which the Philippines doesn’t have at the Moment as it is unimaginable right now to have a similar Military Exchange with China under this Pro-United States (US), Anti-China Administration of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM).
Our Philippine Military was even so proud to admit and report to the Press as soon as former President Rodrigo Duterte left Office of how they sabotaged Military Relations with China during Duterte’s Term ...
Here is the Link to the Article at “The Japan Times” Website: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/01/14/japan/politics/chinese-military-delegation-visit/
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