The signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) by the Philippines and Japan on Monday, July 8, has given a "holistic dimension" to the already strong ties between the two countries amid their shared security concerns in the South China Sea (SCS).

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said this on Monday, July 8, during his bilateral meeting with Japan Minister of Defence Minoru Kihara in Taguig City.

“Our bilateral relations, as the President [Marcos Jr.] has said, is very strong in traditional fields such as the economy and trade. But this year, we add another dimension to our already strong bilateral relations by adding the vital aspect of security which creates a holistic dimension, or adds a holistic dimension to our bilateral relations,” Teodoro said.

“It will also add to the multilateral efforts that both our governments are doing to make sure that our region respects the rule of international law,” he added.

Earlier on the day, Teodoro and Japan Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa signed the RAA at Malacañang to allow both countries to send military forces to each other’s territory for joint exercises. President Marcos, Kihara, and Department of Foreign Affairs Sec. Enrique Manalo witnessed the event.

Teodoro described the signing as “another milestone in our shared endeavor” to ensure a rules-based international order, and ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

“We look forward to putting into flesh, so to speak, the steps forward now that we have upgraded our partnership one level higher by the signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement,” Teodoro said.

Meanwhile, Kihara acknowledged the shared security challenges that Tokyo and Manila face in the Indo-Pacific region amid China’s aggression.

“The Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations are situated in a very strategically important region placed in a key junction of Japan’s sea lanes. Advancing defense cooperation and exchanges with the Philippines is important for Japan,” he said.

Beyond the bilateral relations, Kihara said that Japan is also keen to deepen trilateral and quadrilateral ties. 

In May, the Philippines, Japan, United States and Australia held the second quadrilateral defense minister’s meeting in Hawaii.

Japan, Philippines and United States have also conducted joint exercise with Australia in April, and later on with Canada in June which are both under the framework of Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) marked by a joint sail in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).