JAPAN’S Diet approved yesterday the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), a significant defense pact enabling Japanese forces to conduct joint exercises with Filipino troops in the Philippines.
The RAA, which was signed by both countries in July 2024, was approved by the Philippine Senate in December 2024.
The Department of National Defense (DND) lauded the Diet’s passage of the RAA.
“This agreement follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen partnerships with like-minded countries. It is a step forward to building a trusted and reliable defense relationship, helping both countries contribute to a free, open, and peaceful Indo-Pacific region,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.
Japan’s first RAA with a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will ease restrictions on personnel transfers between Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and the Philippine military for joint drills and disaster relief operations in each other’s country.
Once the RAA takes effect, Japan will be able to participate as a full member in the large-scale Balikatan military exercise, which the Philippines and the United States conduct annually. The SDF has previously joined merely as an observer.
“We welcome today’s approval of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between the Philippines and Japan by the House of Councillors, which completes the approval process in the Japanese Diet,” Philippine ambassador to Tokyo Mylene Garcia-Albano said in a statement.
Albano described the accord as “a testament to the trust and enduring friendship between the Philippines and Japan.”
“It will enhance our ability to work closely together in promoting a rules-based order governed by international law,” she said.
Similar to Manila’s Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States, the RAA defense pact with the Philippines is the first to be signed by Japan in Asia. Japan has signed similar agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom.
“We thank the government and people of Japan for their steadfast support and continued collaboration,” Albano said.
“We look forward to the full implementation of this agreement and to building an even more resilient and forward-looking partnership in the years ahead,” she added.
Japan is one of the Philippines’ four strategic partners. The two countries have over 260 bilateral agreements, including the transfer of defense equipment and technology, infrastructure, and on Mindanao development.
Since 2023, the Philippines has been one of the first recipients of Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) and the only country that Japan selected for grant aid in two consecutive years. With Kyodo News
