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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP, Japan to step up military engagement as RAA takes effect in September

AFP, Japan to step up military engagement as RAA takes effect in September

Published Aug 12, 2025 06:17 pm
(L-R) Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya, and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro interact during the ceremonial exchange of notes for the entry into force of the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) at the DFA headquarters in Pasay City on Aug. 12, 2025. (Photo: DND)
(L-R) Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya, and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro interact during the ceremonial exchange of notes for the entry into force of the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) at the DFA headquarters in Pasay City on Aug. 12, 2025. (Photo: DND)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is set to ramp up joint activities with the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) as the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between Manila and Tokyo comes into force in September.
Speaking at the ceremonial exchange of notes for the RAA’s entry into force at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) headquarters in Pasay City on Tuesday, Aug. 12, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. underscored that the pact is rooted in “strong people-to-people ties, shared values, and a shared purpose.”
“At the end of the day, what it means is that our most potent instrument of national power, which is our Armed Force and that of Japan, can work together, but not for destabilizing the world order, but a shared purpose to preserve it against unilateral attempts to reshape the world order into the selfish benefit of parties to the exclusion of others,” he said.
The formal exchange of notes was conducted by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya, and witnessed by Teodoro, marking a significant milestone in the evolving strategic partnership between the two nations.
The RAA will take effect 30 days after the exchange of notes, or on September 11.
Teodoro acknowledged the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for laying the groundwork for stronger collaboration between Manila and Tokyo. He emphasized that the agreement reinforces both nations’ commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
Prior to the RAA’s inception, the JSDF had already been conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) activities in the Philippines. Once it enters into force, the RAA will significantly deepen bilateral defense and security cooperation, allowing the AFP and JSDF to conduct joint training exercises, share best practices, and enhance interoperability.
In essence, it will allow troops from both countries to enter each other’s territories for training, humanitarian operations, and other agreed activities without the lengthy clearance procedures currently in place.
Further, the defense chief said the RAA will not only enhance interoperability and deterrence against potential threats but also foster resilience through defense industrial cooperation, technology exchange, infrastructure development, and connectivity projects.
He urged both sides to expedite the conclusion of component agreements needed for the RAA’s full implementation, stressing that future generations cannot rely solely on hope for a better tomorrow.
“We have to empower them with as many partnerships as possible so they can work with their partners and build a better future,” he said.
The RAA was signed in Manila on July 8, 2024 on the sidelines of the Philippines-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting or 2+2 Meeting. The Senate concurred in the ratification of the RAA on Dec. 16, 2024 while the House of Councillors of the Japanese Diet (parliament) approved the pact on June 6, 2025.

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