In a significant move highlighting shared concerns about China's growing influence in the East and South China seas, Japan and the Philippines have signed a landmark bilateral defense pact. The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) was signed in Manila between Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and the Philippines' Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.

The agreement establishes a legal framework for both countries to deploy military personnel to each other's territory for training exercises and joint operations. This pact allows Japan to participate as a full member in the annual Balikatan drills, a military exercise between the United States and the Philippines, extending beyond its previous role as an observer.

The signing of the RAA comes as both countries face territorial disputes with China. The Philippines has experienced clashes with the Chinese coast guard in the South China Sea, while Japan has accused Chinese vessels of violating its territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. These conflicts, coupled with Beijing's assertive behavior, have prompted Manila and Tokyo to deepen their security cooperation and overcome their shared wartime history.

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has embraced his country's Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S., hailed the defense pact as "very important" during a meeting with Kamikawa and Japan's defense minister, Minoru Kihara. The Japanese Foreign Ministry stated that the agreement would promote security and defense cooperation, ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

China's Foreign Ministry has responded to the pact, urging cooperation amongst nations without targeting or harming the interests of third parties. They emphasize the region's need for diplomatic solutions rather than military blocs.

This agreement between Japan and the Philippines marks the third reciprocal access deal, with Australia and the United Kingdom being the first two nations to strike such a pact in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Negotiations for the RAA between Japan and the Philippines were initiated in November last year.

Since relaxing its arms trade policy in 2014, Japan has been actively enhancing the Philippines' maritime capabilities by providing military equipment. The Philippine coast guard now operates a dozen patrol ships provided by Japan, while two months ago, Japan extended a low-interest loan for the acquisition of five additional patrol vessels. Furthermore, Japan has also supplied the Philippines with TC-90 turboprop aircraft for maritime patrol activities and mobile radar systems for enhanced situational awareness and early warning capabilities.

The signing of this defense pact not only reinforces the collective deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region but also deepens the security cooperation between Japan and the Philippines, signaling their commitment to safeguarding shared interests.