Photo credit: PCO

The Philippines and Japan have signed the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) on Monday, enabling Filipino soldiers to engage in joint combat training alongside their Japanese counterparts. The agreement, signed by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko during a ceremony witnessed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., marks a significant step in enhancing defense cooperation between the two nations.

The joint combat training sessions, set to take place in Japan, aim to strengthen bilateral defense ties. President Marcos expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, highlighting the collaborative efforts that led to its fruition. The RAA, the first of its kind for Japan in Asia, will come into effect pending ratification by both countries' legislatures.

The negotiations for the RAA began following commitments made during high-level meetings between Filipino and Japanese officials, including the Philippines-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting and President Marcos' visit to Japan. The agreement underscores mutual efforts towards ensuring regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, aligning with shared democratic values and commitment to the rule of law.