Japan–Philippines Defense Pacts Critical to Stifling China Threat: Analysts

Rapid joint responses will significantly raise the costs of invading Taiwan, one expert says.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (center R) and Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro (center L) stand with their teams in Manila, the Philippines, on Jan. 15, 2026. Joeal Calupitan/AP Photo

Tokyo and Manila, the Philippines, have inked two pivotal security agreements to cement a United States-led “Asian NATO” structure that effectively counters Beijing and drastically raises the costs of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, experts say.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi formalized the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) with his counterpart Maria Theresa Lazaro in Manila on Jan. 15, establishing a legal framework to facilitate the mutual exchange of supplies and logistical support between their defense forces.