President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is confident in deepening the Philippines’ partnership with Japan, particularly in defense, security, and economic matters.
Speaking during a courtesy call by Japan’s National Security Adviser Akiba Takeo at Malacañang, the President highlighted the robust collaboration between the two nations.
“I’m very optimistic about the continuing strengthening of our partnership, not only in terms of defense and security but even in the economic [area],” Mr. Marcos said.
The President underscored the role of the Philippines-Japan partnership in addressing regional challenges, noting their strong cooperation in defense security, including interoperability and joint exercises to bolster their positions in the South China Sea.
President Marcos also mentioned the recent ratification of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) by the Philippine Senate on Dec. 16, paving the way for enhanced military cooperation.
“I’m also very happy to note that the Reciprocal Access Agreement has already been ratified by our Senate. As soon as we are all ready, we can operationalize the agreement,” he said.
The RAA, signed in July 2024, is Japan’s first defense pact in Asia. It aims to improve collaboration between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces through joint exercises and increased practical military cooperation.
For his part, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, through a message conveyed by Akiba, expressed delight at the progress in bilateral relations.
He cited key milestones such as the Japan-Philippine-U.S. Summit Meeting in April, the Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting in July, and the recent unanimous Senate approval of the RAA.
As maritime nations connected by the Pacific, the Philippines, Japan, and the U.S. are natural partners, Ishiba said.
He emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law, strengthening maritime and economic security, and enhancing connectivity to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The partnership between the Philippines and Japan continues to evolve, solidifying their commitment to regional security and economic resilience.
