Asia-Pacific Security — 2026-04-06
Japanese Combat Troops Join Drills on Philippine Soil for First Time Since World War II
About 420 Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force personnel have begun participating in military exercises in the Philippines, marking the first time since WWII that Japanese combat troops have deployed on Philippine soil. The deployment follows the 2025 Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement and includes electronic warfare and special weapons medical units from the
Analysis
The historical weight of Japanese combat troops on Philippine soil cannot be understated: the 1945 Battle of Manila killed over 100,000 Filipino civilians. That Manila and Tokyo have moved past this to active military cooperation reflects how China's pressure in the South China Sea has reordered regional security priorities. The electronic warfare component signals the drills are preparing for contested information environments, not just conventional operations.
The historical weight of Japanese combat troops on Philippine soil cannot be understated: the 1945 Battle of Manila killed over 100,000 Filipino civilians. That Manila and Tokyo have moved past this to active military cooperation reflects how China's pressure in the South China Sea has reordered regional security priorities. The electronic warfare component signals the drills are preparing for contested information environments, not just conventional operations.