Phi, Japan finalizing defense-access

Japan's foreign affairs and defense chiefs are scheduled to visit Manila next month for a high-level meeting with their Philippine counterparts, when a key defense pact could be signed, at a time of escalating concerns over China's actions in the disputed South China Sea.

- MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN, Sheila Crisostomo

The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) will allow the Philippines and Japan to send military forces to each other's territory for various initiatives, including maintaining peace in the South China Sea (SCS) and West Philippine Sea (WPS).

President Marcos earlier described the proposed agreement as an "extremely significant" deal that would be signed within the year.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru would undertake an official visit to Manila on July 8.

They are scheduled to meet with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr for the convening of the 2nd Philippines-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting ("2+2").

The DFA said the four ministers are expected to discuss bilateral and defense and security issues affecting the region and exchange views on regional and international issues.

During the visit, Manalo and Teodoro will also hold separate bilateral meetings with their counterparts to discuss areas of mutual concern.

Senior Japanese lawmakers, including Japanese House of Representatives member Wada Yoshiaki, are also in the country to look into how Japan and the Philippines can further work together on the WPS problem.

Senior Japanese lawmaker Onodera Itsunori was quoted as saying that they are looking to make significant progress and ratify the RAA during next month's meeting.

The DFA said the 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministers Meeting is the highest consultative mechanism between the Philippines and Japan to date.

It is a platform to further strengthen the decade-old Strategic Partnership between both countries with the inaugural 2+2 held in April 2022 in Tokyo, Japan.

The DND, in a separate announcement, said that during the 2+2, the ministers will engage in comprehensive discussions on a range of bilateral, defense and security issues affecting the region.