Japan’s top diplomat heads to Philippines with South China Sea top of mind

SCMP | Jan. 12, 2026, 4 a.m. | Original
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Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi looks on during a meeting in Israel on Sunday. He is due in Manila on Thursday. Photo: AP

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi’s stop in Manila on Thursday is part of a nine-day diplomatic tour of the Middle East and Asia that began last Saturday, with stops in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Qatar and India .
His talks with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro are expected to review developments under their decade-old “strengthened strategic partnership”, explore Manila’s agenda as this year’s Asean chair and touch upon security cooperation amid China ’s growing maritime presence.
At last year’s East Asia Summit in Malaysia , Japan reiterated its opposition to any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo in the South China Sea through force or coercion.
Last year, a Chinese coastguard vessel patrols near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed South China Sea area also claimed by the Philippines. Photo: Xinhua
Last year, a Chinese coastguard vessel patrols near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed South China Sea area also claimed by the Philippines. Photo: Xinhua

Motegi said at the time that Tokyo was “seriously concerned” about rising tensions, calling on all parties to resolve disputes peacefully and respect the 2016 arbitral ruling that rebutted Beijing’s expansive South China Sea claims.

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