Military Alliance in the Pacific: Japan, Philippines Sign Landmark Agreement to Counter China

Japan and the Philippines have signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA, known in Japan as the Facilitation Agreement) to facilitate mutual troop deployment and contain China in the South China Sea.

According to Reuters and Bloomberg, foreign and defense ministers from both countries met in Manila, Philippines, for a 2+2 meeting and signed this agreement on Monday. Both sides stated that this agreement aims to promote stability in the region.

The signing of this agreement is expected to facilitate the more effortless movement of military forces and equipment between the two countries. It will also enable the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine military to participate in joint training exercises and disaster relief operations within each other’s territories.

Recently, the Philippines, which has been clashing with Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, is expected to receive significant assistance in defending its maritime sovereignty through Japan Self-Defense Forces’ marine patrol and defense equipment.

The Philippines is the third country with which Japan has signed an RAA and the first in Asia, including ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Japan has previously signed RAAs with Australia and the United Kingdom.

The two countries reached this agreement about eight months after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed to pursue an RAA in November last year. The RAA will take effect once the legislatures of both countries have ratified it.