MANILA – The Philippines and Japan will sign the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) today Monday (08 July 2024), allowing troop deployment in each other’s territories.
The ceremony will be held in Malacañang Palace, following a meeting between Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko, Defense Minister Kihara Minoru, and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The RAA, initiated at the first PH-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting in April 2022, saw formal negotiations begin in Tokyo in November 2023. The final text was reviewed virtually in June.
Foreign Minister Kamikawa and Defense Minister Kihara are in Manila for the second 2+2 Meeting, aimed at deepening security and defense cooperation between the two nations. This year marks 68 years of PH-Japan relations and 12 years of a strengthened strategic partnership.
Japan is one of the Philippines’ four strategic partners, with 264 bilateral agreements. The treaty requires ratification by both countries’ legislative bodies before taking effect. The Philippines continues to bolster defense ties amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
(el Amigo/mnm)
