The Philippines and Japan are poised to sign a landmark defense pact, the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), on Monday, solidifying their defense cooperation in the face of escalating regional tensions, particularly with China.
The agreement, under negotiation since November, will enable both nations to deploy troops on each other's territory for training and other operational purposes. This move marks a significant deepening of defense ties between the two long-time allies of the United States.
Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa are in Manila for high-level talks with their Philippine counterparts, Gilberto Teodoro and Enrique Manalo. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to witness the signing of the RAA.
The pact's significance is underscored by recent confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, where Beijing has been aggressively asserting its territorial claims.
A notable incident occurred on June 17th when Chinese coast guard personnel forcefully boarded Philippine navy boats during a resupply mission, resulting in injuries to a Filipino sailor.
Manila-based geopolitical analyst Don McLain Gill highlights the RAA's importance in enhancing the Philippines' interoperability with like-minded partners and complementing its existing security partnerships within the US-led network of alliances.
The agreement aligns with Washington's strategy of strengthening alliances in the Asia-Pacific region to counter China's growing military power and influence. Recent trilateral summits and joint military drills involving the US, Japan, the Philippines, and Australia have further solidified this regional security framework.
Japan's motivations for the pact extend beyond regional security concerns. Tokyo seeks to play a more prominent and independent role as a stabilizing force in the region, particularly amidst uncertainties surrounding future US policies.
The RAA is not Japan's first such agreement. It has similar pacts with the UK and Australia, while the Philippines has equivalent agreements with the US and Australia, with plans for one with France.
Japan's historical ties with the Philippines, including its occupation during World War II, have been transformed into a strong partnership. Japan is now a leading provider of development assistance and security equipment to the Philippines.
The signing of the RAA marks a pivotal moment in the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Asia-Pacific region. It reflects a growing alignment of interests between the Philippines and Japan in response to shared security challenges, particularly from an increasingly assertive China.
The agreement's long-term implications for regional stability and the balance of power remain to be seen, but its immediate impact is a clear signal of strengthened defense cooperation between these two key US allies.
