President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warmly welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru at Malacañan Palace last July 8. 

The visit was for the signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement, which allows Filipino soldiers to undergo joint combat training with Japanese soldiers.

“Your presence here increases our confidence in the importance that the Japanese government inputs on this extremely important agreement that we have and I am glad that we have come to this day,” said President Marcos.

“To maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law. We would like to strengthen our partnership under your Excellency leadership,” said Japan Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko.

The joint combat training in Japan aims to further strengthen the defense capabilities of both countries against threats from other nations.

It will also facilitate the identification of the status of the visiting force and the civilian component of both countries.

PBBM added, “I am glad that having witnessed the commencement, winning of this agreement, that this now come to commission that we are ready now to sign the reciprocal agreement.”

This is the first agreement of its kind that Japan has signed with another Asian country.