Reciprocal Access Agreement to Boost Philippines-Japan Defense Ties

MANILA – Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the forthcoming entry into force of the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) will significantly boost the defense partnership between the two countries and enhance joint capabilities in addressing shared security challenges.

Teodoro made the statement during a courtesy call by Lt. Gen. Koji Matsunaga, newly promoted Vice Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), on April 7 at the Department of National Defense in Quezon City.

The two officials recalled the outcomes of the February 24 Defense Ministerial Meeting between Teodoro and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, noting the positive momentum in bilateral defense and security cooperation.

Matsunaga reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to advancing agreed action items from the meeting, including the development of frameworks to strengthen military-to-military cooperation, enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) maritime and air domain awareness capabilities, and identifying future activities to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Teodoro said the RAA would propel forward defense ties by improving interoperability between the AFP and JSDF, enabling more effective joint responses to regional security concerns.

The agreement was signed on July 18, 2024, and received Philippine Senate ratification on Dec. 16. Ratification by the Japanese Diet is expected later this year.

Both sides expressed optimism that Philippines-Japan defense relations will continue to grow in the coming years. - FJJ