Phl, Japan start talks on joint military drills

President Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida yesterday agreed to cooperate for the early completion of talks for the planned Reciprocal Access Agreement and to strengthen their coast guards in the face of China's increasingly aggressive maneuvers in the South China Sea.

- ALEXIS ROMERO

The agreement, which will allow Manila and Tokyo to send military troops to each other's territory for joint drills and training, was discussed during the two leaders' bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo.

"The two leaders concurred to continue coordination to reach an early conclusion of the negotiations of the Reciprocal Access Agreement and to enhance cooperation between the coast guards of the two countries," the Japanese foreign ministry said in a  statement.