PH-Japan reciprocal access agreement gets House of Councillors’ OK
MANILA, Philippines — The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan, a historic defense pact aiming to boost both countries’ military cooperation, has been approved by the House of Councillors of Japan.
The RAA is a pact that would serve as the legal basis for both countries’ troops entering each other’s territory for joint military exercises.
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano welcomed this approval on Friday, saying this development completes the approval process in the Japanese Diet.
“The RAA is a testament to the trust and enduring friendship between the Philippines and Japan. It will enhance our ability to work closely together in promoting a rules-based order governed by international law,” she said.“We thank the Government and people of Japan for their steadfast support and continued collaboration. We look forward to the full implementation of this agreement and to building an even more resilient and forward-looking partnership in the years ahead,” she added.
It specifically outlines the provisions on entry and departure, movement, access to facilities, and professional practice of the visiting force and civilian component for cooperative activities, as well as the rules governing the jurisdiction over the actions of the Visiting Force and Civilian Component.
