Japan has officially approved a special defense agreement with the Philippines, making it possible for military drills between the two countries to begin. This agreement is called the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA).

Long-Awaited Ratification Finalized by Japan

It was ratified by Japan’s law-making body, known as the Diet, about six months after the Philippines approved it.

This agreement means that troops from Japan can now travel to the Philippines to take part in military training. In the same way, Filipino troops can go to Japan to join in training there. These activities include joint military drills, such as live-fire exercises, and missions for disaster relief.

This marks the first time since World War II that Japanese forces will be present on Philippine soil. During the war, the country had occupied the Philippines. Now, they are returning not as enemies, but as defense partners. The RAA also makes Tokyo the first in Asia to sign this type of agreement with another Asian nation. Until now, similar pacts existed only with Australia and the United Kingdom.

Closer Ties in the Indo-Pacific Region

The Japan-Philippines military partnership is becoming more important because both countries are facing similar challenges in the region. Both Tokyo and Manila are concerned about rising tensions in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. They are working together to promote peace, safety, and freedom of movement in these important waters.

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The United States is also a key ally of both Japan and the Philippines. With this new agreement, all three nations can now strengthen their cooperation in the Indo-Pacific area. The RAA makes it easier to coordinate training exercises, quickly send troops for emergencies, and share support during natural disasters like typhoons or earthquakes.

The agreement also helps both countries prepare better by reducing the red tape involved in sending soldiers to each other’s countries. Before this, moving troops required more paperwork and longer waiting times. Now, the process is faster and more efficient.

This cooperation shows that both countries trust each other. It also shows that their partnership is growing stronger. With the RAA in place, Japan and the Philippines can now hold training sessions more often and improve how their troops work together.

Strengthening Security and Support Systems

Before the agreement was approved, significant support was already provided to the Philippines. Assistance included modernizing the Philippine Coast Guard through equipment and training. In December, another deal was signed promising 1.6 billion yen worth of aid, covering coastal radar systems, inflatable patrol boats, and other tools to enhance maritime safety.

In addition to military cooperation, the defense agreement could help both countries in areas like economic security and public welfare. Japan, for example, has shown interest in investing in infrastructure projects in the Philippines. These include building roads, bridges, and other large projects that improve daily life. On the other hand, Japan is facing an ageing population, and many Filipino nurses are expected to help fill healthcare jobs in Japanese hospitals and elderly care centers.

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There are also plans for the two nations to sign additional agreements. One of these could be an information security pact. If signed, it would allow the two countries to safely share classified information. This would be a major step in showing that both countries trust each other not just with troops, but also with important national secrets.

Experts believe that the successful cooperation between Japan, the Philippines, and the United States proves that smaller groups of countries can work together on defense matters. This model of “minilateral” cooperation allows countries to focus on specific goals, like maritime safety or emergency response, without needing a large alliance.

While this agreement brings benefits to both countries, observers are also watching how other countries in the region will react. Some have pointed out that China may see the RAA as a challenge to its growing influence in the area. Experts warn that Beijing could respond by strengthening its own alliances or increasing pressure on the Philippines.

However, what is clear now is that Japan and the Philippines are taking their defense cooperation to the next level. The approval of the RAA by Japan’s Diet confirms that both countries are committed to working more closely together. With the pact now official in both nations, military drills and cooperation efforts between Japan and the Philippines are ready to move forward.