Japan Deploys Combat Troops to Philippines for Balikatan

Japan will deploy combat troops to the Philippines for the first time since World War II, joining the annual Balikatan military exercises with the United States and Australia, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. announced on March 24 during a forum in Makati City marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between Manila and Tokyo.

The Balikatan drills, which means "shoulder to shoulder" in Filipino, are scheduled to begin on April 20 and run through May. Brawner described this year's iteration as the largest yet, expanding not only in troop numbers but also in the variety of activities, including maritime security, amphibious operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, noncombatant evacuation, cyber defense, and space-related exercises. Japan's Self-Defense Forces will send units from its ground, maritime, and air branches to participate in defensive operations while carrying weapons, a step beyond their previous roles as observers or trainers focused on humanitarian efforts.

"This is the first time we will have Japanese combat troops again on Philippine soil," Brawner said. "Before, we were on opposite sides. This time, we find...