Philippines and Japan to Sign Reciprocal Access Agreement by End of 2024

The Philippines and Japan are set to sign a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) before the end of 2024, allowing the entry and operation of Filipino and Japanese troops in each other's territories. National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya confirmed the development, emphasizing the significance of the agreement in strengthening defense cooperation and interoperability between the two countries' armed forces.

The RAA comes amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where the Philippines has faced increased pressure from China in recent months. Chinese naval warships, coast guard, and maritime militia vessels have been obstructing Philippine supply boats to an outpost in the Ayungin Shoal, prompting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to form the National Maritime Council (NMC) to formulate policies and strategies on the country's maritime security and domain awareness.

The upcoming agreement is expected to be a key topic of discussion during a summit between the leaders of Japan, the United States, and the Philippines. The three countries recently concluded a trilateral summit, with cooperation in the West Philippine Sea being one of the focus areas. President Marcos Jr. described the RAA as "extremely significant" and said it would grant greater capability in terms of security and disaster preparedness.

The RAA is distinct from the Philippines' Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States. Japan currently has RAAs with only two other countries: Australia and the United Kingdom. The agreement is part of the deepening military ties between the Philippines, the US, Japan, and Australia to counter China's expanding influence in the Asia-Pacific region. The four countries are expected to conduct joint naval drills in the disputed South China Sea, which China claims almost entirely.

Why this matters: The signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between the Philippines and Japan marks a significant step in strengthening regional security cooperation and countering China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. The agreement underscores the importance of strategic partnerships among like-minded nations in maintaining stability and upholding international law in the region.

The Philippines has been pursuing warmer ties with the US and other Western nations under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in contrast with his predecessor's pro-Beijing stance. The National Security Council has emphasized that the upcoming Balikatan joint military exercises with the United States are focused on strengthening the Philippines' defense capacity and capability, as well as the interoperability and cooperation of Filipino and American forces. The exercises will be observed by several countries, including Japan, and will introduce the Standard Missile 6 (SM6) system, which has a range of up to 300 nautical miles or more than 500 kilometers.

Key Takeaways

• Philippines and Japan to sign Reciprocal Access Agreement by end of 2024.
• Agreement allows entry and operation of troops in each other's territories.
• Aims to strengthen defense cooperation amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
• Part of deepening military ties between Philippines, US, Japan, and Australia.
• Exercises to include US-Philippines Balikatan and joint naval drills in South China Sea.