Japan participated in the multilateral militaristic exercise Balikatan within Balikatan in the Philippines in the Philippines for the very first time at the end of April 2025. They were joined by Australian, Philippine and United States forces. The observers came from 16 countries: Brunei, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Lithuania, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand as well as Thailand, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will take part in an South China Sea patrol with Philippine and U.S. vessels. The multi-national maritime exercise in the vicinity of Luzon, Philippine Island of Luzon will be extended to Manila’s exclusive economy zone (EEZ) which extends 200 nautical miles off the coast.
While Balikatan does not target any potential adversaries however tensions have risen within the vitally important waterway in the last two years, as there has been a flurry of tensions as the Philippines has exposed China’s unlawful, coercive aggressive and deceitful practices. Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, defying the 2016 ruling of the international tribunal which invalidated Beijing’s arbitrary territorial claims. China Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels have obstructed as well as rammed and harassed Philippine fishermen, both civilian and military crews working within Manila’s internationally acknowledged EEZ in which the Philippines enjoys the exclusive right to access resources. Beijing employs similar strategies to intimidate others South China Sea claimants, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Balikatan is a word that means shoulder-to-shoulder according to the Philippine language Tagalog will be marking its 40th anniversary of the long-term treaty allies, the Philippines along with the U.S. With more than 16,000 troops from all over the world It builds on the complexity of previous exercises to show how the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) modernization and increase the military interoperability and preparedness.
“To fight as a team, we have to train as a team,” said Philippine Navy Commodore Richard Gonzaga the director of 2025’s exercise. “Even in the 40th iteration, we approach each Balikatan with a renewed focus on developing combined training that ensures we are prepared and confident to fight and win together if called upon.”
Philippine as well as U.S. officials said the exercise will be a comprehensive battle test, incorporating both realistic and virtual scenarios. It will encompass the cyber, air as well as space and sea domains while military personnel will simulate the defense of Philippine sovereignty according to according to the U.S. Defense Department stated. Integration at operational and tactical levels allows allies the chance to verify their capabilities, improve and refine them.
Balikatan is a combination of logistics aid to the humanitarian sector, as well as exercises of command and control. Philippine along with U.S. personnel supplied heavy equipment and other assets with boats and landing craft.
Troops are also working to improve local infrastructure and sharing their medical expertise to build connections with Philippine communities.
In the course of command and control exercises, AFP and U.S. personnel will form joint task forces, and synchronize the operations. Australian, Philippine and U.S. troops will be trained to spot and eliminate potential threats on their respective platforms.
Joint all-domain operations will comprise naval security and counter landing fire integrated missile defense, as well maritime strikes.
“Balikatan 25″ is much more than just a continuing training program over a number of decades. It’s an essential investment in our protection,” said Lt. Gen. James Glynn, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific. “Together with our steadfast allies in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and with the growing involvement of nations with shared vital interests, like Australia and Japan, we are operating as a force with mutually supporting capabilities ready to meet challenges in the region and defend a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
