Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (right, sitting) and then Japanese foreign minister Kamikawa Yoko (left, sitting) sign the Reciprocal Access Agreement in Malacañ Palace on July 8, 2024. The ceremonial signing is witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center), then Japanese defense minister Kihara Minoru (leftmost), and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo (rightmost). (Photo: Presidential Communications Office)

The Department of National Defense (DND) welcomed the approval of the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) by Tokyo’s national legislature, the National Diet, on Friday, June 6.

The pact allows both countries to send military forces and equipment to each other’s territory for joint exercises, like the Balikatan Exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces.

“The RAA allows the Philippines and Japan to work more closely together on defense and security matters,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said.

The DND said the RAA follows President Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen partnerships with “like-minded” countries. 

“It is a step forward in building a trusted and reliable defense relationship, helping both countries contribute to a free, open, and peaceful Indo-Pacific region,” Andolong noted.

The DND has reinforced its collaboration with allied and friendly nations, including Japan, to counter China’s increasing activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The RAA was signed by DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and then Japanese foreign minister Kamikawa Yoko during the latter’s courtesy call with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Malacañan Palace on July 8, 2024.

Five months later, the Senate ratified it on Dec. 16, 2024.

The agreement outlines the procedures for joint activities carried out by the Japanese and Philippine forces during official visits between the two countries. It also specifies the legal status of the visiting forces.

It is expected to facilitate the implementation of cooperative activities, such as joint exercises and disaster relief, between Manila and Tokyo, and improve the interoperability between the AFP and Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).

Aside from Japan, the Philippines has an existing visiting forces agreement (VFA) with the United States and Australia.

The DND is also negotiating for a similar pact with France, Canada, and New Zealand among other countries.