The Philippines and Japan signed a defense pact that will allow the countries to station troops on each other’s territory for joint military exercises and humanitarian operations.
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The Philippines and Japan on Monday signed a landmark Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) that aims to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries in the midst of escalating tensions in the South China Sea. Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru attended the signing of the agreement on the Japanese side.
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The agreement, which Tokyo and Manila began negotiating last November, provides a legal framework for Japan and the Philippines to send military personnel to each other’s territory for training and other operations. The agreement will also allow Japanese forces to provide humanitarian assistance to the Philippines when needed.
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“The agreement still requires ratification by the Philippine Senate and the National Legislative Assembly of Japan before it enters into force,” local media say.
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In recent years, Tokyo has signed similar reciprocal access agreements with the UK and Australia. The Philippines has similar pacts with the United States and Australia and is planning one with France.
The Philippines and Japan are longtime US allies, strengthening their alliance with regional forces to counter China’s growing military power and influence in the region. Chinese officials have previously accused the United States of trying to create an Asia-Pacific version of NATO.
