Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yoko Kamikawa, and Philippine Secretary of National Defense, Gilberto Teodoro have signed the reciprocal access agreement during a ceremony in Manila earlier today.
Under the Agreement, Japanese Forces will be able to deploy in the Philippines for Joint Military Exercises and Filipino Forces will be able to carry out Combat Training in Japan.
The pact will need to be ratified by both countries’ legislatures to come into effect.
The Agreement comes as Japan and the Philippines, both long-standing allies of the United States, express concerns over China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
