日本增強對菲律賓軍事安全開發援助以協助抗衡中國大陸

Japan’s Strengthening of Military and Security Development Assistance to the Philippines to Help Counter China

菲律賓長期都是日本重要的「政府開發援助計畫」（ODA）援助對象國，不過對菲國的援助主要集中於經濟建設與人力資源培訓等領域，防務並非日本對菲國援助重點。然而自安倍首相2次執政後，日本對菲律賓ODA出現明顯朝軍事化轉變傾向，且主要是強化對菲律賓防務援助。觀諸日本2016年的《外交藍皮書》指出做為海洋國家，日本將自身的安全環境與亞洲太平洋地區的整體安全融為一體，加以日本政府在非洲首推「印太」戰略概念，而為實現此國家戰略目標，勢須借助與南海區域內國家互動始能實現。既然日本於1990年代菲「中」美濟礁事件發生後，透過ODA給予菲律賓港口整修援助而重新介入南海，則安倍首相順勢運用對菲律賓進行ODA軍事安全性質援助，擴大日本對區域事務影響及處理涉中議題，即有其正當性。尤其近期中國大陸（下稱：大陸）在南海軍事動作頻繁，升高地緣政治緊張情勢，而菲律賓總統小馬可仕執政後，日菲間安全互動與合作關係增強，加以觀諸日菲皆為美國正式盟友，隨著美日菲3方小多邊「結盟」態勢愈趨彰顯，ODA的軍事安全特性或許將發揮更關鍵作用。

The Philippines has long been an important recipient of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) program. However, Japan’s aid to the Philippines has mainly concentrated on areas such as economic development and human resources training, with defense not being the focus. Nevertheless, since Prime Minister Abe’s second term in office, Japan’s ODA to the Philippines has shown a clear tendency toward militarization, mainly focusing on strengthening defense assistance to the Philippines. According to Japan’s 2016 Diplomatic Blue Book, as a maritime nation, Japan integrates its own security environment with the overall security of the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, the Japanese government launched its “Indo-Pacific” strategic concept for the first time in Africa. To realize this national strategic objective, Japan must engage with countries in the South China Sea region. Since Japan re-engaged in the South China Sea by providing port renovation assistance to the Philippines through ODA after the Mischief Reef incident between China and the Philippines in the 1990s, Prime Minister Abe took advantage of this momentum to extend ODA-based military and security assistance to the Philippines. This not only expanded Japan’s influence in regional affairs but also contributed to addressing matters involving China, thereby lending legitimacy to its actions. Particularly in recent times, China has carried out frequent military actions in the South China Sea, escalating geopolitical tensions. After Philippine President Marcos took office, security interactions and cooperation between Japan and the Philippines have strengthened. Moreover, as both Japan and the Philippines are formal allies of the United States, the mini-multilateral “alliance” among the United States, Japan, and the Philippines has become increasingly evident. In this context, the military and security dimensions of ODA may play a more critical role.