The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) held high-level talks in Honolulu, Hawaii to strengthen defense cooperation between Manila and Tokyo, the AFP Public Affairs Office said on Thursday evening.
The meeting was held last January 29, 2025. It covered topics such as the implementation of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), maritime security, information sharing, joint exercises, humanitarian assistance, strategic communication, and countering malign influence.
AFP was led by its Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans Major General Rommel Cordova while Japan was represented by Major General Nobutaka Minamikawa and the Japan Joint Staff. Their discussion focused on regional security collaboration.
Both military leaders emphasized the strategic importance of the Philippines in regional stability and Japan’s commitment to deeper maritime security cooperation.
“AFP and JSDF reaffirm their dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific, upholding international law through enhanced defense collaboration,” said AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad.
The meeting was part of the 5th Trilateral Joint Staff Talks with the JSDF and the United States Indo-Pacific Command, coinciding with the 2nd Multilateral Staff Talks with the Australian Defense Force, which was held last January 28, 2025 in the same venue.
The RAA, the first of its kind that Japan signed in Asia last July 2024, will ease the entry of equipment and troops for combat training and disaster response, smoothing military cooperation between Manila and Tokyo.
It was ratified by the Philippine Senate last December 2024.