The deal allows the Philippines and Japan to conduct joint military drills in each other's territories.
Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and the Philippines' Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro shaking hands after signing the reciprocal access agreement.
“Your presence here increases our confidence and the importance that the Japanese government puts on these extremely important agreements that we have. And I’m very glad that we have come to this day,” Mr Marcos told the Japanese officials. This also makes the Philippines the third country to forge an RAA with Tokyo, following Australia and Britain.
“During World War II, Japan was responsible for invasion and colonial rule of Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines,” said Mr Lin. “Japan should seriously reflect on its history of aggression and be cautious in words and deeds in the field of military security”. Japan and the US once colonised the Philippines, but the two superpowers are now among Manila’s closest military allies as it counters a more assertive Beijing in the South China Sea. The three nations’ naval forces conducted joint drills in the disputed waterway in April.
During the ministers’ press briefing in the afternoon, Ms Kamikawa said the RAA does not mean to target any particular country, but rather is aimed at strengthening relations between Manila and Tokyo, as well as promoting peace in the Indo-Pacific. “This will definitely be a factor in Beijing’s calculation of the strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific,” Dr Garcia told The Straits Times.
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