The Philippines and Japan signed on Monday a landmark defense pact allowing them to deploy their forces on each other's territories for joint military drills, AFP reported, citing Filipino presidential communications secretary Cheloy Garafil.
The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) was signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoko Kamikawa at the presidential palace in Manila. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (pictured). The RAA would take effect after ratification by the countries' legislatures, Philippine and Japanese officials said.
Japan signed such deals with Australia in 2022 and with Britain last year, but the defense pact with the Philippines is the first of its kind to be created by Japan in Asia.
