Japan, Philippines set to sign agreements on military, trade during PM Ishiba’s visit

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo announced on Thursday that Japan and the Philippines are set to sign several bilateral agreements during Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's visit to Manila next week, highlighting the strength of their strategic partnership.

Discussions will cover political, economic, cultural issues, as well as national security cooperation, including the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) defense pact aimed at enhancing joint military exercises and maritime law enforcement cooperation.

The RAA, similar to the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States, will allow Filipino soldiers to undergo combat training with their counterparts in Japan, strengthening their defense alliance amid China's growing assertiveness in the region.

Trade policy shifts and Indo-Pacific cooperation are also on the agenda as part of efforts to maintain a rules-based international order and promote security and defense cooperation.

Japan is set to support the Philippines in various sectors such as telecommunications through Open Radio Access Network (RAN) and undersea cables, infrastructure development including railways and highways, and energy in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism Nakano Hiromasa will pay an official visit from April 27 to 28 ahead of Prime Minister Ishiba's arrival on April 29-30.

The summit meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will further promote security and defense cooperation and strengthen the strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines, marking Ishiba's first bilateral visit since assuming office in September 2024.