Año: PH, Japan to formally discuss Reciprocal Access Agreement

The Philippines and Japan are set to formally discuss the proposed Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) that would boost both military cooperation between the two countries and regional security, the National Security Adviser said Sunday.

In a statement, NSA Secretary Eduardo Año said the announcement of formal negotiations on the RAA and the launch of a new security aid program were “significant steps” in the “golden age” of bilateral relations.

“The proposed RAA will facilitate the procedures and set guidelines when Philippine forces visit Japan for training and joint exercises, and vice versa,” the statement said.

Año also cited Japan’s commitment to provide coastal surveillance radars and support through the Official Security Assistance (OSA) program as a “testament to their dedication” to strengthening the security and deterrence capabilities of partner countries.

“We are honored to be the first beneficiary of this program, which aligns with our efforts to improve our maritime domain awareness capability, maintain regional stability, and protect the rules-based international order,” he said.

“We look forward to the negotiations and implementation of these agreements and initiatives, which will undoubtedly strengthen our partnership and contribute to a more secure and stable Indo-Pacific,” he added.

Año’s statement comes as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was in the country, with the Congress convening a special joint session to receive and hear Kishida’s message.

In his speech, Kishida said the trilateral cooperation between Japan, the Philippines, and the United States was underway to protect freedom of sea navigation in the South China Sea, part of which belongs to the Philippines as the West Philippine Sea.

Kishida on Saturday also paid a courtesy visit to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) National Headquarters in Manila, where he boarded the BRP Teresa Magbanua, one of the two 97-meter multi-role response vessels of the PCG constructed in Japan. — DVM, GMA Integrated News