It’s not a small gesture.
Japanese soldiers are now on Philippine soil under a new Reciprocal Access Agreement — cleared to train, drill, and operate alongside US and Filipino forces.
This year’s Balikatan exercises are the biggest in history: 17,000 troops from the US, Philippines, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand.
Japan was an observer in previous years. Now it’s a participant.
The last time Japanese troops were in the Philippines in any combat capacity, Japan was the aggressor in a brutal occupation.
This is something completely different — Tokyo choosing to stand with Manila against a very different threat.
China has been firing flares at Philippine aircraft and dumping cyanide near Philippine outposts in disputed waters.
Japan just told Beijing exactly where it stands.
