Credits: ABS-CBN NEWS
The Philippines’ military chief announced on Thursday his anticipation that a significant defense agreement with Japan, facilitating the deployment of troops on each other’s territory, will be signed at the upcoming security talks next week.
Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa are scheduled to meet with their Philippine counterparts in Manila on Monday. The Philippines and Japan, both longstanding allies of the United States, have been strengthening their ties amid rising tensions with China, which is involved in maritime territorial disputes with both nations.
“We are hoping that during that meeting, the RAA, or the Reciprocal Access Agreement, will be signed,” General Romeo Brawner, the military chief, told AFP and other reporters at a news conference. “The RAA is important because it will allow Japanese forces, Japanese troops, to come into our country to conduct training with us. It will also allow our troops to go to Japan to train with them.”
Negotiations for the pact between the Philippines and Japan began in November. The agreement would establish the legal framework for both countries to send defense personnel to each other’s territories for training and other operations. Japan has already signed similar reciprocal access agreements with Britain and Australia in recent years.
The Philippines maintains equivalent pacts with the United States and Australia and is planning to pursue one with France. Japan, which invaded and occupied the Philippines during World War II, is now a top provider of overseas development assistance to the Southeast Asian country and a supplier of security equipment.
In May, the Philippines agreed to purchase five 97-meter coast guard patrol ships from Japan in a deal worth over $400 million. Additionally, in April, leaders from Japan, the Philippines, and the United States held their first trilateral summit aimed at enhancing defense ties in Washington. This summit followed four-way military drills in the South China Sea, which included Australia and drew criticism from Beijing.
As security talks approach, the potential signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement marks a significant step in bolstering defense collaboration between the Philippines and Japan, reflecting their shared commitment to regional stability and security amidst growing geopolitical challenges.