Turning over a new leaf in Japan–Philippines relations (Richard Javad Heydarian, De La Salle University, East Asia Forum)

Historically, the United States has been the Philippines’ leading ally. Under a series of landmark agreements Washington served as the de facto guarantor of Philippine national security for almost a century. But in recent years Japan has rapidly upgraded its security cooperation with Manila. Today, Japan is the Philippines’ top provider of development aid, leading trading partner, leading foreign investor, and, next to the United States, a major source of maritime security assistance. And just recently, the two Asian countries inked a defence agreement that allows Tokyo to supply Manila military technology and equipment, such as surveillance aircraft. The Philippines is the third country, and the first in Southeast Asia, to have signed such agreement with Japan.

http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2016/03/05/turning-over-a-new-leaf-in-japan-philippines-relations/