Japan Provides $10.6M Aid to Improve Philippines' Air and Maritime Domain Awareness

The Government of Japan has extended a $10.6 million (JPY 1.6 billion) Official Security Assistance (OSA) grant to the Philippines for fiscal year 2024 to enhance the country’s air and maritime domain awareness capabilities.

The agreement was formalized by Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya, in the presence of Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr.

This aid will support the Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force in addressing maritime and air security challenges. Notably, the Philippines is the only country to receive Japan’s OSA grant for two consecutive years.

The aid comes at a time of heightened maritime tensions in the region. On December 4, a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship collided with the Philippine vessel BRP Datu Pagbuaya near Scarborough Shoal, damaging the vessel. The following day, the CCG expelled a Japanese fishing vessel near Diaoyu Dao, asserting China’s sovereignty.