The Philippines and Japan inked a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) allowing them to station their forces in each other’s territory, according to Asian media.
The agreement between the two countries was a milestone in their security relationship amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, an official announced on Monday, 8 July.
Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa signed the agreement at a ceremony in Manila witnessed by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, according to presidential communications secretary Cheloy Garafil.
The RAA provides a framework for facilitating military co-operation. For instance, it facilitates the entry of foreign personnel and equipment for visiting forces. Officials say the agreement will take effect after ratification by the legislative assemblies of both countries.
A Japanese military presence in the Philippines could help Manila counter Chinese influence in the South China Sea, where Beijing’s vast maritime claims are at odds with those of several Southeast Asian countries. In 2016, an international tribunal declared that China’s claims had no legal basis, but Beijing rejected the ruling.
China’s claims
Both the Philippines and Japan, two of the US closest Asian allies, took a strong stance against what they considered aggressive behaviour by Chinese vessels amid years of maritime sovereignty disputes. Japan, however, does not claim the South China Sea but has a separate maritime dispute with China in the East China Sea, where they have repeatedly confronted each other.
In December 2023, Japan announced its largest military buildup since World War II, a step away from its post-war pacifism. Tokyo has sought to reinforce defence ties with other countries because of its concerns over China’s behaviour, including pressure on Taiwan, freedom of navigation, and trade disputes.
Japan supported the Philippines’ position in the South China Sea and expressed serious concern over China’s actions, including recent incidents that damaged Philippine vessels and injured a Filipino sailor. As part of the reciprocal access agreement, Tokyo agreed to provide Manila with surveillance radars.
The Philippines also entered into a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US and Australia. Tokyo, which has the largest concentration of US forces overseas, has similar RAA agreements with Australia and the UK. Japan is also negotiating another agreement with France.
