By HANA BORDEY, GMA Integrated News
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Japan Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru will discuss the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) defense pact and other matters concerning national security cooperation.
In a statement released Friday by the Embassy of Japan in Manila, Ambassador Endo Kazuya announced details of Ishiba's visit to Manila on April 29 to 30, marking the new Japan Prime Minister's first bilateral visit to the Philippines and in time for the 70th anniversary of both states' normalization of relations next year.
"The summit meeting with President Marcos will involve discussions on various matters, some of which relate to national security cooperation and maritime law enforcement cooperation," Endo said.
"These include the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement, signed during the 2+2 Meeting last July 2024 and currently being prepared to enter into force, the transfer of air surveillance radar systems, and the Official Security Assistance extended by Japan to the Philippines. To further these cooperative aspects, we look forward to opportunities to deepen collaborations in such areas as logistics and information," he added.
The RAA will grant access to military personnel from both states to hold joint trainings in each other's country.
The move is part of efforts to strengthen their defense alliance amid China's growing assertiveness in the region.
The RAA, similar to the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States, is Japan's third defense accord after the United Kingdom and Australia.
Both agreements serve as a legal framework that allows American and Japanese forces to visit the country temporarily for military exercises and provide humanitarian and disaster-response aid.
A similar accord was signed by the Philippines and Australia in 2007.
The 1987 Philippine Constitution prohibits foreign troops from establishing permanent military bases in the country.
Trade, Indo-Pacific cooperation
Apart from the security cooperation matters, international affairs will also be discussed in line with the both states' interests in achieving a free and open Indo-Pacific.
"The discussions will further promote our security and defense cooperation in order to maintain and strengthen rules-based international order and enhance collaborations on various matters. To this day, Japan and the Philippines have seized various opportunities as maritime nations and strategic partners who share the same fundamental values and principles," the embassy said.
Amid the recent trade policy shift of the United States, the Japanese embassy likewise mentioned the importance for the Philippines and Japan to "exchange views on this matter accordingly."
"I believe that Japan and the Philippines, both sharing the same values, should continue to cooperate for strengthening the global economy based on the multilateral trading system," said Endo.
The Japanese ambassador to the Philippines likewise mentioned Japan’s support for the Philippines in the fields of telecommunication through Open Radio Access Network (RAN) and undersea cables, infrastructure development of railways and highways, and energy in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Endo further noted Japan’s continuous contribution to combating climate change, improving agricultural productivity and disaster preparedness in the Philippines, as well as the Mindanao Peace Process, which he said, remains an important agenda for both countries.
Prior to the arrival of Japan's prime minister, senior officials, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism Nakano Hiromasa will pay an official visit from April 27 to 28. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
