Senate ratifies Phl-Japan military access agreement

The Senate has ratified the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan, paving the way for the establishment of a legal framework for joint military training, operations and humanitarian missions as part of an overall defense cooperation between the two countries.

- By CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE

With 19-0-0 votes, Senate President Francis Escudero said the Senate approved on third reading Resolution 1248 on the ratification of the Philippines-Japan RAA, signed by President Marcos on Nov. 9 before its submission to the Senate for concurrence.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed the development.

“In terms of our territorial defense posture, the RAA will bolster our maritime domain awareness capabilities through technology transfers, intelligence sharing, and strengthened collaboration with Japan, a country with advanced defense systems,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said.

Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo, in a post on X, expressed his “heartfelt appreciation for the unwavering support of the PH Senate for the concurrence of the RAA.”

“Our countries have long stood together as strategic partners, and this milestone reaffirms our shared commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” he added.

Endo’s post was accompanied by a photo taken at the Senate, taken after the ratification.

Escudero thanked Sen. Imee Marcos, the sponsor of the resolution, for fast-tracking and prioritizing the resolution, being the chairperson of the Senate committee on foreign relations.

“The partnerships between the Philippine Armed Forces and the Self-Defense Forces of Japan will enhance our security and defense capabilities and especially our disaster management efforts,” Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said of the ratification of the RAA.

“Japan is one of our most important friends and allies, if not the most important friend and ally in the region, and this agreement will only deepen our ties, ensure that we are aligned in our efforts to uphold peace and security in the Asia Pacific region today, I cast my vote for friendship, for cooperation and for future or a future of deeper Philippines-Japan relationship,” Zubiri added.