Japan to deploy troops to Philippines for drills
Japan sends troops to Philippines (photo: Getty Images)
Next month, Japanese ground forces will take part in military exercises in the Philippines for the first time since World War II, Bloomberg reports.
According to Philippine Army spokesperson Louie Dema-ala, about 300 personnel from Japan's Ground Self-Defense Forces will take part in the annual Salaknib joint exercises with Philippine and US troops.
"This is the first time that they will join the exercises," Dema-ala said, adding that Australia will also take part.
Japan has usually participated in joint US-Philippine military exercises in the past as observers or in support roles. But this will be the first time in postwar history that Japan will fully take part in joint drills involving ground combat training.
"After 1945, for the very first time, we will have Japanese combat troops on Philippine soil again. That is very significant because back then we found ourselves on the opposite sides of the war," Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner Jr. said during a forum this week.
This time, Japan's direct participation in the military exercises comes after a reciprocal access agreement between the two countries came into force last year. The pact is aimed at facilitating mutual military visits.
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