Japanese and Philippine ships exercise at Bataan coast (Philippines) on June 6, 2023
The Philippine Senate on December 16 approved the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan, allowing the two countries to deploy military forces on each other’s territory.
The RAA is the first agreement of its kind signed by Japan in Asia and will help facilitate the dispatch of soldiers and equipment for combat and disaster response training, strengthening military cooperation between Manila and Manila. Tokyo, according to Reuters.
All 19 senators present at the November 16 session voted to ratify the agreement, with Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo in attendance at the legislative hall in Manila.
The deal was signed by the two countries’ defense and foreign ministers in July, but still needs approval from both countries’ parliaments to take effect.
The Philippines has a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US and Australia. Meanwhile, Japan also has similar RAA agreements with Australia and the UK and is negotiating an agreement with France.
The Philippines and Japan, two of America’s closest Asian allies in Asia, have both taken tough stances against what they see as an increasingly assertive China in the East and South China Seas.
In another development, GMA News reported on December 16 that the Philippine Air Force and the US Pacific Air Force had just conducted bilateral training activities in the Philippine Sea.
“A-29 Super Tucanos, Missouri ANG C-130 H2 Hercules and the 25th A-10 Thunderbolt II fighter squadron flew in formation over the Philippine Sea for bilateral training,” Pacific Air Forces Duong of the US said on December 14.
