6-11-2023 (MANILA) The Philippines is aiming to establish a reciprocal troops access agreement with Japan at the earliest opportunity, according to the country’s Defense Secretary, Gilberto Teodoro.
Both the Philippines and Japan have entered into negotiations on a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which would enable the deployment of their respective forces on each other’s territory.
Teodoro expressed optimism about this mutual access agreement, highlighting the commitment of both the Japanese and Philippine governments to uphold the rules-based international order and international law.
Once the agreement is finalized, it will need to undergo the ratification process in both the Philippines Senate and the Japanese legislature.
The negotiations for an RAA represent a significant step towards strengthening military cooperation between the Philippines and Japan. Both nations are among the United States’ closest allies in the Asian region. This development comes against the backdrop of mounting maritime tensions in the area and China’s growing assertiveness.
