MANILA, Philippines – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan is “hopeful” for the conclusion of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan, before its parliament will end its session this coming June.
In a sit-down interview with media on Wednesday, following the two-day official visit of Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru in Manila, Japan MOFA Spokesperon KITAMURA Toshihiro shared his optimism that discussions will start very soon and the deal’s ratification would be a “good step forward”.
Kitamura mentioned that if the RAA is approved, “that is a very good step forward for both countries, because that will facilitate the joint training, for example, joint operation between two forces.”
“We have submitted that agreement to the Diet, and we expect that the Diet will start discussions on those agreements very soon,” Kitamura said.
“And of course, we cannot, as the administration, we cannot prejudge any kind of conclusion from the Diet process, but since the Diet will conclude before the end of June, we hope that that will be approved by the Diet by that time,” Kitamura added.
Once the RAA enters into force, the deal would facilitate joint operations between the two forces, including military drills, the official explained.
On December 2024, Philippine Senators have unanimously approved Senate Resolution No. 1248, which concurs with the ratification of the RAA.
It was earlier signed on July 8, 2024 by Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., in the presence of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in Manila.
The RAA with Japan was a commitment made at the inaugural Philippines-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting or 2+2 in April 2022.
It was reiterated during President Marcos’ official visit to Japan in February 2023.
First formal negotiations on the RAA were held in Tokyo on November 29-30, 2023.
Ishiba and Marcos “looking forward” to entry into force and implementation of RAA
During his inaugural visit to Manila, Japan’s Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru and President Marcos Jr. discussed diplomatic, political, security and defense cooperation.
In a news release from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), it mentioned that both leaders are looking forward to the entry into force and implementation of the RAA.
During the Japan-Philippines Summit Meeting held in Malacanang on Tuesday, Ishiba and Marcos “welcomed the progress made towards the implementation of the RAA,” as well as concurred to commence negotiations on an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) to reinforce operational collaboration,” the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines shared.
“The two leaders confirmed the importance of early conclusion of an Agreement on the Security of Information promptly and agreed to facilitate discussions among governments,” the Embassy added.
Ishiba visited Manila from 29-30 April 2025, ahead of the 70th anniversary of the normalization of ties between Japan and the Philippines next year.
Prior to Manila, Ishiba was in Vietnam on Sunday, kicking off a four-day trip to Southeast Asia. This is his third visit to the region since taking office in October.
