Japanese government officials have indicated that Japan, the United States, and the Philippines are contemplating collaboration to bolster supply chains for vital minerals like nickel, aiming to counter China's economic pressure. This potential cooperation is anticipated to be formalized through a joint statement following a summit among Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, President Joe Biden, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Washington.
The Philippines is the second-largest producer after Indonesia of nickel, a key material used in electric vehicle batteries. Japan, the United States and the Philippines will work together to thwart China's efforts to secure nickel in Southeast Asia. There is also a proposal to strengthen supply chains by utilizing a network of like-minded countries, including major European countries and Australia.
During an upcoming summit, the leaders of Japan, the United States, and the Philippines are anticipated to pledge to uphold and enhance the free and open international order governed by the rule of law, aiming to bolster security cooperation among the trio. Additionally, the Japanese government is contemplating the involvement of the Maritime Self-Defense Force in surveillance operations and joint naval exercises alongside the U.S. and Philippine navies.
Japanese and U.S. officials think that stronger security cooperation with the Philippines is important for responding to a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait. During his visit to Washington, Kishida is also scheduled to give a speech at the U.S. Congress. In the speech, the prime minister is unlikely to express remorse over World War II as the issue of Japan's position on the war "has been settled to some extent," a senior Foreign Ministry official said.
Kishida is slated to deliver his speech in English, affirming Japan and the United States' commitment to upholding and reinforcing the free and open international order grounded in the rule of law. He will underscore that by leveraging the Japan-U.S. alliance, Japan intends to enhance multilateral collaboration with nations such as South Korea, Australia, and India. Additionally, Kishida will express his dedication to advancing both security and economic cooperation with President Biden.
During a White House bilateral summit meeting, it is anticipated that Kishida and Biden will reach a consensus on defense technology advancement involving Japan, the United States, Britain, and Australia. According to officials, a joint statement between Japan and the U.S. following the summit is expected to outline plans for initiating discussions regarding the possibility of launching U.S. commercial rockets from Japan, alongside cooperation in technology development for offshore wind power.