Why Japan’s troops are returning to Philippine soil for first time since WWII

Their return, as part of the joint Philippine-US Balikatan military training drills, also signals a dramatic shift in the development of the Indo-Pacific security architecture from a “hub-and-spoke” strategy to one of multiple, overlapping minilaterals, with the region seen as one undivided theatre, experts say.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff General Romeo Brawner Jnr noted the return of Japanese soldiers “is very significant”, during a day-long conference on Tuesday to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between Manila and Tokyo.

“The last time that combat troops from Japan were in the Philippines was in 1945. Since then, combat troops from other countries were not allowed, specifically from Japan, were not allowed in the country,” Brawner said.

Historians estimate that Japanese forces killed half a million Filipinos during Japan’s three-year occupation of the Philippines.

“So that is very significant because back then, we found ourselves on opposite sides of the war,” Brawner said. “But this time, we find ourselves on the same side. Together with the United States, we will stand together. These four nations [along with Australia] will come together to exercise defensive operations.”