MANILA -- Japan’s National Diet ratified the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with the Philippines on Friday, marking a significant milestone in the defense collaboration between the two nations.

This agreement facilitates the deployment of Japanese forces for joint drills with Filipino troops in the Philippines and allows Filipino soldiers to enter Japan for similar activities.    

Philippine Ambassador to Japan, Mylene Garcia-Albano, welcomed the Diet’s approval, stating that the RAA is “a testament to the trust and enduring friendship between the Philippines and Japan.”

She emphasized that the agreement will enhance the ability of both countries to work closely together in promoting a rules-based order governed by international law.  

The RAA, signed on July 8, 2024, is the first such agreement Japan has concluded with a fellow Asian country, following similar pacts with Australia and the United Kingdom. It establishes procedures for cooperative activities conducted by the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Armed Forces of the Philippines while visiting each other’s countries, defining the legal status of the visiting forces.   

Defense Asec. Arsenio R. Andolong also welcomed the development, citing that it allows both countries to work more closely together on defense and security matters.

"This agreement follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen partnerships with like-minded countries. It is a step forward in building a trusted and reliable defense relationship, helping both countries contribute to a free, open, and peaceful Indo-Pacific region," he said.

The Philippine Senate ratified the agreement in December 2024, with all 19 senators present voting in favor.

The ratification process in Japan’s Diet was completed with the approval by the House of Councillors, finalizing the legislative requirements for the agreement to enter into force.   

The RAA is expected to facilitate joint military exercises and disaster relief operations, improving interoperability between the forces of the two countries. As the security environment in the region becomes increasingly severe, the agreement is seen as a strategic move to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.  

Both Japan and the Philippines have expressed concerns over China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea and the East China Sea.

While the Philippines continue to deal with China’s aggressive and intrusive activities over maritime features within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Japan is also facing a maritime dispute with China, along with Taiwan, over the Senkaku Islands (Chinese name Diaoyu) in the East China Sea, which has become a major point of tension.

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The RAA is part of a broader effort by both nations to strengthen defense and security cooperation in response to these regional challenges.