PH and Japan RAA military pact takes effect

The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan officially entered into force on September 11, 2025, establishing a significant military alliance.

This agreement facilitates enhanced defense cooperation, allowing for joint exercises, humanitarian missions, disaster response operations, and operational activities between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).

The RAA permits the deployment of Japanese and Filipino troops in each other's territories for training, notwithstanding the Philippine Constitution's stance on permanent foreign military bases.

The Department of National Defense (DND) emphasized that the agreement reflects deepening ties rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and a common commitment to regional peace and stability.

The DND expressed gratitude for the political leadership, including President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippine Senate, and the Japanese government, that enabled the agreement.

This agreement is seen as a major step toward enhancing interoperability and defense readiness amid a shifting security landscape in the Indo-Pacific.