The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone counties in Southeast Asia. Frequent disasters are caused by typhoon and violent storms, floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, drought, sediment disasters, and tidal waves. This study reviews Japanese development assistance in disaster management in the Philippines, which has continued over 30 years, from a disaster risk reduction perspective. It was found that around eight million people in 4,000 km2 are protected by structures financed by Japanese assistance. Also, over 600 engineers and specialists in disaster management have been trained under technical cooperation. Most financing projects have supported the construction of structure measures, such as dykes, and the provision of equipment, such as flood forecasting warning systems. In line with these assistance projects, technical cooperation projects have mainly covered technical transfer to government engineers and specialists in structures and equipment. The assistance, however, has not necessarily attained human security, which is focusing on empowerment and protection of individual people and a mission of Japan International Cooperation Agency. Crucial issues were found in these assistance projects: (1) delayed implementation of most construction projects because of limited capacity of implementing agency, inadequate arrangement of land acquisition and resettlement, and so on; (2) limited contribution to poverty reduction; (3) limited support to communities; (4) limited involvement of local government and community in projects; and (5) limited coordination with other related sectors. The study further proposes approaches to be taken in future projects through applying lessons learned in this sector review.