Philippines - Japan Relations
Japan and the Philippines have shared diplomatic relations that date back to post-World War II. These relations were officially established on July 23, 1956, and since then, the two nations have cultivated a strong and multifaceted relationship in various areas such as politics, economy, defense, and cultural exchange. Japan and the Philippines continue to maintain and enhance their diplomatic relations, adjusting to changing regional and global circumstances. Their relationship is viewed as a significant partnership in ensuring stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region.
People make a distinction between modern Japan and the Imperial Japanese era and the latter is never really forgotten. The brutality of the occupation is taught in school and shown in media and told in stories. The brutality of the Japanese in the Philippines during the war equals the brutality of the Japanese in China on a smaller, but still horrid scale.
In strategic terms, the Japanese looked at the Philippines as a strategic part of wartime expansion. The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was the goal of the Japanese Empire: to liberate East Asia from white colonial rule, uniting it for the prosperity of all under the guardianship of Japan. The Philippines had been ceded to the U.S. by Spain after the Spanish-American War, and the islands were on track to achieve independence by 1946. At some 7,000 miles from San Francisco, the Philippines were simply too far away for the U.S. to garrison or protect adequately, while they lay at the center of a vital shipping lane between Japan and Indonesia.
The island's resources and the elimnation of General Douglas A. MacArthur's Far Eastern Air Force were the prime objectives, thus allowing their expansion in the area without the fears of aerial attacks. The Japanese invasion on the islands 08 December 1941 was multi-pronged in order to secure the airstrips and support the ground offensives. By 12:30 p.m., the Japanese were dropping bombs on the main U.S. bases, especially the Philippines' five major airfields.
War Department had always known the U.S. could never hold them against a Japanese invasion. As early as the 1920s, they developed War Plan Orange. It called for a retreat to a finger of land on Luzon, the largest of the Philippines' 7,000-odd islands, known as the Bataan Peninsula, and Corregidor, a tiny island fortress off its tip. Stockpiles of food and ammunition would allow them to hold out until the Navy could arrive. With the Philippines quickly under Japanese control in early 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered General Douglas A. MacArthur, USA, to relocate to Australia. The battle for Bataan was even the site of the last mounted cavalry charge in American military history. Despite brave fighting at Corregidor, General Wainwright surrendered on 06 May 1942, ending the Philippine Campaign with the surrender the largest number of Americans in history -- almost 80,000.
As many as 11,000 of the approximately 78,000 prisoners of war (12,000 United States and 66,000 Filipino troops) died during the the infamous Bataan Death March. The survivors’ suffering did not end with the march, as over twice as many prisoners died in the first two months of imprisonment as did on the march.
The Japanese occupation of the Philippines lasted for over two years. The occupying Japanese brought their own currency to the Philippines. Known as Japanese Invasion Notes, Japanese Occupation Money, and “Mickey Mouse Money” by the locals. During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, it became standard procedure for the occupation troops to conduct reprisal raids on civilians whom the Japanese suspected of aiding guerrillas.
Thousands of Filipinos who were accused of harboring anti-Japanese sentiment were subjected to torture and execution as a result of the policy. Thousands of Filipinos died from overwork, hunger, and disease due to the Japanese’s use of forced labor to construct their military facilities. Through the entire experience of Japanese occupation of the Philippines, the Japanese were never able to understand the aversion exhibited by the Filipino people against them.
During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, American and Filipino soldiers behind enemy lines, and some civilians, formed guerilla groups to oppose the Japanese forces. Over 250,000 Philippine Scouts fought alongside American forces during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. The guerillas supported the eventual US liberation of the Philippines. MacArthur believed that the US government had a moral obligation to liberate the Philippines as US forces moved toward Japan. The alternative was to bypass the islands as US forces drove toward Japan. The Filipino population was hostile toward the Japanese forces and supportive of US forces in the area.
The goals of the Japaneses defence of Manila in January-February 1945 was threefold; to effect maximum attrition of US forces, to delay the occupation and use of the Port of Manila as long as possible, and to cripple the city as a base for future military operations and as a center for civilian production and government control. There was no effort to evacuate the civilian populace.
An international military tribunal was established in 1946 to prosecute Japanese military officials for crimes against humanity committed during the conflict. General Tomoyuki Yamashita was one of the officers tried and ultimately found guilty for his role in the Manila Incident. In the end, Yamashita was put to death for his part in the crimes perpetrated in the Philippines.
The Japanese occupation in World War II had the effect of increasing Filipino attraction to American culture rather than the reverse, and since the attainnent of independence the tendency to acquire U.S. cultural values had grown.
By terms of the agreement of 14 March 1947 between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines,3 the United States guarantees the security and defense of that Republic. This commitment, together with other commitments implicit in the relationship of the two governments, invests the United States with special political and moral responsibilities toward the Philippines, extending further than merely military defense and security of the islands. The basic military policy of the United States with respect to the Republic of the Philippines, therefore, is to develop and strengthen the security of the Philippines against organized external aggression or internal subversion.
Among foreign peoples, the Japanese had incurred the most hostility from Filipinos, stemming from the atrocities and humiliations suffered during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II. However, postwar reparations paid by Japan, growing commerce between the two countries, and the healing effect of time have resulted in it considerable lessening of animosity.
High-level exchanges between officials from both countries have been frequent, and these exchanges have led to the strengthening of their bilateral relations. Japan has been one of the Philippines' major trading partners and sources of foreign direct investment. Numerous Japanese companies operate in the Philippines, and there is an active flow of goods and services between the two nations.
Japan and the Philippines have cooperated in terms of defense, engaging in dialogues and conducting joint exercises to ensure maritime security and disaster response. Japan has been a significant provider of official development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines, aiding in infrastructure development, poverty reduction, and disaster recovery.
The two nations share various cultural exchanges and educational programs, encouraging understanding and friendship among their peoples. There are community and societal links established through tourism and employment opportunities. Japan and the Philippines cooperate in regional and international forums, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
Both countries also face shared challenges, such as natural disasters, that they collaborate on for mutual support and assistance. They work together on issues like the South China Sea to maintain peace and order in the region.
By October 2023 the Japanese government was making arrangements to provide the Philippines with maritime surveillance radar and other equipment under the new Official Security Assistance framework. If realized, it will be the first application of the plan. The government launched the OSA framework in April to provide defense equipment and other supplies to like-minded countries to enhance security cooperation. Japan's government is seeking to strengthen ties with the Philippines, as both nations are wary of China's increasing maritime activities. Tokyo is also considering the possibility of starting negotiations with Manila to conclude a Reciprocal Access Agreement. The agreement is designed to arrange in advance numerous details needed for Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine military to conduct joint drills and other activities.
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