On Japan’s massive participation in the Balikatan 2026
By Yoshio Nakamura, Asia Wide Campaign Secretariat
April 21, 2026
April 21, 2026
The uploaded photo was taken at an anti-war demonstration in Kyoto, Japan on April 19, 2026
We strongly oppose massive participation of Japanese troops in the BALIKATAN 2026, which is officially launched on April 20, 2026. Japanese government already sent around 1,400 'combat troops' to join the exercises, but it will just rise military tension in the region. I want to mention about especially Japan's participation in the Balikatan 2026.
The Japanese government sent around 1,400 Japanese troops and warships to the Balikatan this year. I think that it is a historical step for Japan’s militarization after the end of the World War 2nd. All the Japanese SDSF units’ —Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces —participate in the field training exercises in the Philippines and its seas. They will also carry out the missile launch exercises.
We are very concerned about and oppose to such large-scale participation of the Japanese troops in the military exercises held near the Taiwan Strait. It will further worsen diplomatic relation between Japan and China, and just rise military tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.
As you know, Japan is now under rapid military buildup. In the islands of Okinawa, close to Taiwan, massive deployment of the Japanese SDF’s missile units is now going on. Military spending has doubled in past three years.
At the same time, the Japanese government, together with the U.S. government, is strengthening military cooperation with Asian countries as part of its efforts to contain China. The Philippines is a key partner for it.
The Japanese and Philippine governments concluded the RAA last year and signed the ACSA in January of this year. Both governments have also agreed to the early conclusion of GSOMIA. For Japanese government, the Philippines is the largest recipient of the Japan’s Official Security Assistance, including radar systems. We are deeply concerned that the Philippines is being used for the Japanese government's military ambitions in the region.
Japan once occupied the Philippines. Justice for the victims, including former comfort women, has yet to be achieved. So, we firmly believe that what the Japanese government should do now is offering genuine apologies and compensation to the war victims, not join the war drills in the Philippines and its seas.
AWC members in Tokyo will hold a protest in front of the Japanese Defense Ministry, along with Filipino comrades in Japan and others.
Resist the US-led war exercises in Asia-Pacific!
Stop rapid growing Japan's military buildup!
The Japanese government sent around 1,400 Japanese troops and warships to the Balikatan this year. I think that it is a historical step for Japan’s militarization after the end of the World War 2nd. All the Japanese SDSF units’ —Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces —participate in the field training exercises in the Philippines and its seas. They will also carry out the missile launch exercises.
We are very concerned about and oppose to such large-scale participation of the Japanese troops in the military exercises held near the Taiwan Strait. It will further worsen diplomatic relation between Japan and China, and just rise military tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.
As you know, Japan is now under rapid military buildup. In the islands of Okinawa, close to Taiwan, massive deployment of the Japanese SDF’s missile units is now going on. Military spending has doubled in past three years.
At the same time, the Japanese government, together with the U.S. government, is strengthening military cooperation with Asian countries as part of its efforts to contain China. The Philippines is a key partner for it.
The Japanese and Philippine governments concluded the RAA last year and signed the ACSA in January of this year. Both governments have also agreed to the early conclusion of GSOMIA. For Japanese government, the Philippines is the largest recipient of the Japan’s Official Security Assistance, including radar systems. We are deeply concerned that the Philippines is being used for the Japanese government's military ambitions in the region.
Japan once occupied the Philippines. Justice for the victims, including former comfort women, has yet to be achieved. So, we firmly believe that what the Japanese government should do now is offering genuine apologies and compensation to the war victims, not join the war drills in the Philippines and its seas.
AWC members in Tokyo will hold a protest in front of the Japanese Defense Ministry, along with Filipino comrades in Japan and others.
Resist the US-led war exercises in Asia-Pacific!
Stop rapid growing Japan's military buildup!