Japanese PM, Bongbong Marcos to discuss defense pact

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is received by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañan Palace on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo from RTV Malacañang)

MANILA, Philippines — Japan and the Philippines may have enhanced defense agreements, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio said on Friday.  

Kishida, on a two-day official visit to the Philippines, said that a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) will be mulled between the two nations after a discussion with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.  

“A further decision was made to start negotiations of a Reciprocal Access Agreement, RAA, and agreed to further strengthen trilateral cooperation between Japan, United States and the Philippines,” said Kishida.

An RAA is a defense pact with Japan that would streamline joint defense drills between the two nations.

 “We confirm to further promote cooperation to improve the Philippines’ maritime law enforcement capabilities, including the provision of patrol vessels and defense equipment and technological cooperation including the transfer of warning and control radar,” added Kishida.        

An agreement that came from the two leaders is the Exchange of Notes on the Official Security Assistance from Japan to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines.