Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Theresa Lazaro and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu on Thursday, January 15, sealed the implementation of three key bilateral agreements strengthening cooperation in defense and security, economic development, and infrastructure.
During the ceremony, the two foreign ministers signed the Agreement Concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).
This agreement, also known as the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), aims to enhance military interoperability and readiness between the two nations, complementing the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA).
In her keynote address, Lazaro emphasized the importance of strong engagement between their respective government agencies and the effective implementation of key bilateral instruments, including the RAA and the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA).
“We highlighted the importance of robust engagement between our respective government agencies and the implementation of key bilateral instruments such as the Reciprocal Access Agreement and the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement,” Lazaro said.
The ACSA establishes a framework for procedures related to the reciprocal provision of goods and services between the AFP and the JSDF.
Both foreign ministers also signed the Official Security Assistance (OSA) for Fiscal Year 2025, which aims to strengthen the Department of National Defense’s capacity to secure Philippine territory and improve capabilities to deter threats that could compromise peace, stability, and security in the region.
Motegi said their discussions included the exchange of views on various aspects of bilateral cooperation, particularly in security, maritime issues, and the economy, as well as regional and international developments.
“In addition, we signed an exchange of notes for official security assistance. This is the first infrastructure project under Japan’s program, and we will construct boat houses and slipways for rigid inflatable boats,” he said in Japanese.
The foreign ministers also signed a Grant Aid Agreement for the Establishment of the Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (BASULTA) Wireless Backbone Network, amounting to 1.63 billion Japanese yen, or approximately P612 million.
The project aims to connect 40 government network sites and provide free public internet access points across Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
Lazaro said the signing reflects the deepening partnership between the Philippines and Japan and supports ongoing cooperation in key areas as both countries celebrate 70 years of diplomatic ties.
“Japan is a vital strategic partner of the Philippines, and our relationship will continue to be bound by shared values of democracy, respect for the rule of law, and a commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in our region,” she added.
Meanwhile, Motegi expressed Japan’s commitment to and support for the trilateral cooperation framework involving the Philippines, Japan, and the United States.
“The secretary and I also confirmed the importance of Japan-Philippines-U.S. trilateral cooperation in the face of an increasingly severe strategic environment,” Motegi said.
In April 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., U.S. President Joe Biden, and former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida participated in a trilateral summit in Washington, reaffirming their commitment to a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific guided by the values of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Philippines, Japan seal 3 deals to deepen bilateral ties”
