MANILA – The Philippines and Japan will sign a historic defense agreement on July 8, which will enable their military forces to visit each other’s territories, according to the Philippine President’s communications office on July 7.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will oversee the signing of the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement. The event will follow a courtesy call by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, his office announced.
Kamikawa and Kihara are in Manila for meetings with their Philippine counterparts on July 8, aimed at enhancing defense cooperation between the two nations, both key US allies in Asia.
This move comes as the Philippines strengthens its ties with neighboring countries and other international allies to address what it perceives as China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea. Similarly, Japan has its own territorial disputes with China in the East China Sea over the uninhabited islands known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan.
Formal negotiations for the Reciprocal Access Agreement between the Philippines and Japan began last November. This agreement marks a significant step in the defense partnership between the two nations, aiming to enhance regional security and cooperation.