As tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific, Japanese officials and analysts stress the importance of keeping the United States engaged in the region, saying no other power can effectively counter China’s assertiveness.
Speaking to GMA News Online in separate interviews, Japanese officials emphasized the need for allies like the Philippines and Japan to ensure newly re-elected US President Donald Trump remains committed to regional security.
“We have to make sure that Trump is completely on board,” a senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official said, warning that a fragmented response would weaken leverage over China.
Professor Naoko Eto of the China Institute of Geoeconomics echoed this sentiment, noting that losing Taiwan would damage US credibility. Meanwhile, Professor Matake Kamiya of Japan’s National Defense Academy stressed that “Japan cannot do this alone. We need American power.”
While Trump’s foreign policy direction remains uncertain, his administration has signaled continued engagement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently met with QUAD allies (Australia, India, and Japan), reaffirming a commitment to a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” Meanwhile, Philippine officials, including Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, have also reached out to US counterparts to reinforce ties.
However, China is actively courting US allies through diplomatic engagements, which Japan views as a mere “tactical change.” Officials believe Trump will not “sell out” Japan, given the strategic importance of US alliances in Asia.
With regional stability at stake, Japan and the Philippines continue to strengthen security ties with the US, hoping to maintain a unified stance against China’s increasing influence in the South China Sea and beyond.