Philippines and Japan to sign defense pact next year
The Philippines and Japan are set to sign a defense pact next year that would allow their forces to conduct joint military training and access each other’s facilities. The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) would be Japan’s first such pact with a Southeast Asian nation and its third overall.
The RAA negotiations were agreed upon during Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s visit to Manila on November 3, 2023, where he met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The two leaders also discussed ways to enhance their cooperation on maritime security, especially in the South China Sea and the Luzon Strait, where China has been increasing its military presence and activities.
Japan also pledged to provide the Philippines with coastal surveillance radars and other equipment under its new Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework, which aims to support like-minded countries in enhancing their security capabilities. Japan has already delivered the first unit of an air-surveillance radar system to the Philippine Air Force in October.
The defense pact and the security assistance are part of Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) Strategy, which seeks to promote the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the region. Japan and the Philippines are both allies of the United States and share common concerns over China’s assertiveness and expansionism.
The RAA is expected to be signed in early 2024, after the completion of the negotiations and the approval of the respective parliaments of both countries. The RAA would enable the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to conduct joint exercises, patrols, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. It would also simplify the procedures for obtaining visas, bringing weapons and ammunition, and using facilities in each other’s territories.
The RAA would boost the defense and security ties between Japan and the Philippines, which have been described as being in a “golden age” by Kishida. The two countries have been strengthening their relations since the 2012 Scarborough Shoal standoff, when China seized control of a disputed reef from the Philippines. Japan has since provided the Philippines with patrol vessels, radar systems, and other assistance to improve its maritime domain awareness and deterrence capabilities.
The RAA would also complement the existing defense agreements that the Philippines has with the United States and Australia, such as the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), and the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA). The Philippines is also exploring the possibility of forging similar pacts with other countries, such as India and France.
The RAA would be a significant milestone for Japan’s defense diplomacy, as it would demonstrate its willingness and ability to play a more active and constructive role in regional security. Japan has already signed RAAs with Australia and the United Kingdom, and is in talks with Canada and Germany for similar arrangements. Japan is also expanding its security partnerships with other countries in the Indo-Pacific, such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.
The RAA would also be a testament to the shared values and interests of Japan and the Philippines, as well as their commitment to uphold the rules-based international order. The RAA would enhance their mutual trust and cooperation, as well as their contribution to peace and stability in the region and beyond.
The Philippines and Japan are set to sign a defense pact next year that would allow their forces to conduct joint military training and access each other’s facilities. The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) would be Japan’s first such pact with a Southeast Asian nation and its third overall.
The RAA negotiations were agreed upon during Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s visit to Manila on November 3, 2023, where he met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The two leaders also discussed ways to enhance their cooperation on maritime security, especially in the South China Sea and the Luzon Strait, where China has been increasing its military presence and activities.
Japan also pledged to provide the Philippines with coastal surveillance radars and other equipment under its new Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework, which aims to support like-minded countries in enhancing their security capabilities. Japan has already delivered the first unit of an air-surveillance radar system to the Philippine Air Force in October.
The defense pact and the security assistance are part of Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) Strategy, which seeks to promote the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the region. Japan and the Philippines are both allies of the United States and share common concerns over China’s assertiveness and expansionism.
The RAA is expected to be signed in early 2024, after the completion of the negotiations and the approval of the respective parliaments of both countries. The RAA would enable the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to conduct joint exercises, patrols, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. It would also simplify the procedures for obtaining visas, bringing weapons and ammunition, and using facilities in each other’s territories.
The RAA would boost the defense and security ties between Japan and the Philippines, which have been described as being in a “golden age” by Kishida. The two countries have been strengthening their relations since the 2012 Scarborough Shoal standoff, when China seized control of a disputed reef from the Philippines. Japan has since provided the Philippines with patrol vessels, radar systems, and other assistance to improve its maritime domain awareness and deterrence capabilities.
The RAA would also complement the existing defense agreements that the Philippines has with the United States and Australia, such as the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), and the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA). The Philippines is also exploring the possibility of forging similar pacts with other countries, such as India and France.
The RAA would be a significant milestone for Japan’s defense diplomacy, as it would demonstrate its willingness and ability to play a more active and constructive role in regional security. Japan has already signed RAAs with Australia and the United Kingdom, and is in talks with Canada and Germany for similar arrangements. Japan is also expanding its security partnerships with other countries in the Indo-Pacific, such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.
The RAA would also be a testament to the shared values and interests of Japan and the Philippines, as well as their commitment to uphold the rules-based international order. The RAA would enhance their mutual trust and cooperation, as well as their contribution to peace and stability in the region and beyond.