The Philippines' and Japan's signing on Monday, July 8, of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) will streamline various processes that will eventually allow "in a smooth manner" the strengthening of the defense capabilities of the troops of both sides.
That was what Japanese Foreign Ministry Deputy Press Secretary Kaneko Mariko said when asked what to expect from the historic signing of the defense deal that came less than a year since negotiations for that started.
The Philippines is the third country with which Japan has RAA—the other two being the United Kingdom and Australia.
The new defense pact between the Philippines and Japan came amid China's continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea, which Tokyo sees as a threat to an open and free Indo-Pacific region.
"So by having this RAA, [it] will streamline [various process], so we could have more exercises, and that could build, strengthen our defense capabilities on both sides," Kaneko told select media in a press conference following the signing of the RAA.
RAA provisions
The 31-page RAA, released to the public on Monday night, includes provisions that allow the smooth entry and exit of the visiting force from either side to the other.
Under the deal, the receiving state shall "expeditiously grant through diplomatic channels clearances to the sending state for access by the vessels or aircraft of the visiting force to ports or airports of the receiving state."
The pact will also allow the members of visiting force the access to and movement between facilities and areas that are made available for them.
They will also be exempted from visa requirements before entering and departing the receiving state and "shall be exempt from the laws and regulations" on the registration of foreign nationals, according to RAA.
With regards to telecommunication and public information systems, members of the visiting force, with consent of the receiving state, "may temporarily use for cooperative activities" the public utilities and services owned, controlled or regulated by the receiving state under conditions.
They may also operate, in accordance with arrangements with the appropriate authorities of the receiving state, telecommunication and information systems for official communications purposes in connection with cooperative activities, according to RAA.
Additionally, they may use publicly offered communication services in the receiving state, subject to the laws and regulations of the receiving state and the respective terms and conditions set by service providers.
"Having this kind of agreement, the Japanese Self Defense Forces (JSDF) and the Philippines' Armed Forces can cooperate to promote more interoperability, and we will be able to have joint exercises," Kaneko said.
"Until now, I think without this kind of agreement, the Japanese Self Defense Forces couldn't have joint exercises with Filipinos in a smooth manner," she added.
The Philippines' defense pact with Japan is part of its efforts to strengthen its defense and security capability against aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
Recently, Manila has upgraded its Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Washington, which is almost similar to RAA, and expanded its Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
However, China seems to remain unfazed as its harassment continues.
In response, Kaneko believed that it is important for like-minded countries to work together as "we are now in a very global community," and everybody is "intertwined."
"Each country needs to consider how you defend your country. Each needs to concentrate on that. But at the same time, no country can defend your country by yourself," she said.