Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said defense cooperation with Japan will receive a further boost once the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) goes into force.

DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said in a media statement Friday that Teodoro issued the observation during the recent courtesy call of newly promoted Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Matsunaga Koji at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

“Secretary Teodoro also noted that the entry into force of the Philippines-Japan RAA will further propel the two countries’ defense partnership and will significantly improve the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and JSDF’s interoperability and joint capacities in addressing common security challenges,” Andolong said.

The RAA was signed on July 18, 2024 and ratified by the Philippine Senate on Dec. 16.

The Japanese Diet (Legislature) is expected to ratify the agreement this year.

“Both officials expressed optimism that overall Philippines-Japan defense cooperation will continue to prosper in the coming years,” Andolong said.

The two camps noted the positive momentum of the two countries’ strategic partnership, particularly in the area of defense and security.

This was further boosted by the successful Defense Ministerial Meeting (DMM) between Teodoro and Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen on Feb. 24.

“Lt. Gen. Matsunaga reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to expeditiously work on the attainment of agreed action items during the DMM, such as pursuing frameworks of cooperation to further enhance military-to-military cooperation; enhancing the AFP’s maritime and air domain awareness capabilities; and identifying activities/engagements to promote and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Andolong said. (PNA)