Japan builds up the Philippines’ military power

Japan announced yesterday that it will sell the Philippines military unmanned aircraft and an advanced radar system worth nearly $30 million through its program of military support for like-minded nations. The equipment will strengthen the Philippines’ capacity to track Chinese naval and coast guard movements across vital South China Sea shipping lanes, many of which Japan’s economy depends on. The sale is the latest step in Japan’s effort to deepen military ties with Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and other regional powers as it seeks to build a counterweight to China’s growing power. To understand whether these efforts will succeed, read “Japan Attempts to Build Anti-China Alliance—Will It Work?”