(Manila, 6th) The Japanese Parliament (both houses) officially passed the 'Reciprocal Access Agreement' this Friday, approving the deployment of the Japan Self-Defense Forces to the Philippines for joint military exercises with the Philippine military, marking a critical step forward in the defense cooperation relationship between the two countries.
The Philippine Ambassador to Japan, Garcia Albano, welcomed the development: “We welcome the Japanese Senate's approval of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between the Philippines and Japan today, thus formally completing the approval process of the Japanese Parliament.”
The RAA will simplify administrative and legal procedures for the deployment of both countries' forces on each other's territories, covering areas such as joint training, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response, further strengthening bilateral military collaboration.
The agreement comes in the context of the persistently tense security situation in the Indo-Pacific region, especially amid the rising South China Sea disputes and regional geopolitical competition. Both parties seek to deepen their strategic partnership to jointly address challenges.
The 'Reciprocal Access Agreement' was signed in Tokyo in 2023, following consultations between the two sides on common security interests, freedom of navigation, and humanitarian collaboration. Philippine President Marcos Jr. approved this agreement on November 5, 2024, and it was passed by the Philippine Senate on December 16 of the same year.
“The Reciprocal Access Agreement is a testament to the trust and friendship between the Philippines and Japan, enhancing our cooperative ability to uphold a rules-based order grounded in international law.” Garcia-Albano pointed out.
She also stated, “We thank the Japanese government and people for their steadfast support and ongoing collaboration, and we look forward to the full implementation of this agreement, further promoting the establishment of a more resilient and forward-looking partnership between the two sides.”