Philippines, US eyeing inclusion of Japan in annual military exercise

US President Joe Biden speaks to the press with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (right) and President Marcos at the White House in Washington on April 11. - AFP

MANILA: The Philippines and the United States are considering the expansion of their annual “Balikatan” (shoulder-to-shoulder) military exercises to include Japan following the historic trilateral meeting of the leaders of the three countries in Washington last week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Monday (April 15).

Marcos welcomed the idea of having Japanese troops participate in the Balikatan war games, carried out under the Mutual Defence Treaty between the Philippines and the United States.