Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on Friday in Manila the start of negotiations on a defense agreement that would allow the deployment of soldiers from both countries in their respective territories.
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“We are aware of the benefits of this agreement both for our military and defense forces and for maintaining peace and stability in our region,” said President Marcos, who spoke alongside Mr. Kishida at the presidential palace.
Longtime US allies Tokyo and Manila are increasing their defense cooperation in the face of growing military pressure from China in the region.
Japan will provide the Philippines with a coastal surveillance radar system as part of a security assistance package worth 600 million yen ($4 million), the two leaders said.
Japan will help “enhance the Philippines’ ability to enforce maritime law, including through the provision of patrol vessels and defense equipment, as well as through technological cooperation,” Kishida said.
He is the first Japanese leader to visit the Philippines since 2017 and will address the Philippine Congress on Saturday.
The reciprocal access agreement creates the legal basis for both countries to send military personnel to each other’s territories for training programs and other operations.
In the past, Japan has signed similar agreements with Great Britain and Australia. The Philippines did this with the United States and Australia.
During World War II, Japan invaded and occupied the Philippines, but the two countries developed relationships based on investment and trade and, more recently, grew even closer given Japan’s assertiveness. China in the region.