Following the recent meeting between Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Philippines Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro in Singapore, the two nations will soon discuss the export of Japanese-produced surface-to-ship missiles to the Philippines which itself has been harassed a lot by Communist China at sea, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
It should be recalled that Japan successfully tested the Type 88 surface-to-ship system during the Balikatan exercise held in the Philippines and it has been considering exporting it to the nation for its defense enhancement.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro affirmed Sunday that talks will be launched on the export of surface-to-ship missiles from Japan to the Southeast Asian nation.
Koizumi revealed this in talks with reporters after holding a meeting with the Philippine defense chief in Singapore earlier in the day.
Type-88 surface-to-ship guided missiles of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (SDF) are expected to be a candidate.
The Philippine side is believed to have shown an interest in procuring the missiles as the Japanese Self-Defense Forces used them in the Balikatan multilateral exercises conducted in Manila between April and May.
The SDF, which had taken part in the annual exercises organized by the United States and the Philippines as an observer since 2012, joined the drills on a full scale for the first time this year following the entry into force of the Japan-Philippine reciprocal access agreement in September 2025.
The possible procurement of Type-88 missiles is expected to help reinforce the deterrent and response capabilities of the Philippines, which is in confrontation with China in the South China Sea.
Koizumi also said he and Teodoro broadly agreed that Abukuma-class destroyers of Japan’s Maritime SDF will be transferred to the Philippines as soon as they are decommissioned.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think it is inevitable the Philippines will proceed to acquire Type 88 surface-to-ship missile systems from Japan within the year?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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