Japanese jets return to Philippines, 1st time since WW II

Japan has dispatched two F15 fighter jets to the Philippines for the first time since World War II.

It is also the first time that any Japanese fighter jet has visited any member nation of the Association of South East Asian Nations, Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) said.

“We will promote mutual understanding by unit-to-unit exchanges with PAF (Philippines Air Force) and develop defense cooperation and exchanges,” the ASDF said.

The fighter jets landed at Clark Air Base. A refueling aircraft and a transport airplane also accompany the F15 jets to the Philippines.

During a flight of around four hours, the Japanese jets were refueled in the air.

Japan is also transferring air surveillance radar systems to the archipelago nation.

“During the war, when imperial Japan occupied the Philippines for more than three years, it utilized the airfield in part as a launching base for kamikaze suicide attacks against American forces,” Tokyo-based Kyodo News said.

Amid changing geo-political situation in Asia-Pacific, regional countries have been holding joint exercises as the US accelerates its containment policy on China which has seen an expansion of its economic and military influence on the broader region.

While Japan is part of the Washington-led Quad – a loose security alliance along with Australia and India – Manila is the oldest US ally in the region.

Some 60 ASDF members are in the Philippines from Nov. 27 until Dec. 11 “to promote mutual understanding and defense cooperation between the forces of the two countries,” according to the ASDF.

“The fighters’ arrival marked a milestone in the history of defense exchanges of Japan and the Philippines,” said Lt. Col. Shotaro Arisawa from the ASDF, addressing a ceremony held at the base in Mabalacat, north of Manila, on the main island of Luzon.

“The PAF will continue to work hand-in-hand with the ASDF to advance our friendship and partnership and to strengthen both our air forces to effectively and efficiently sustain peace and stability in our region,” said PAF’s Col. Leo Fontanilla.

Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas, a PAF commander, had said last month the Japanese “are now our allies who believe in the rule of law.”