Press Releases
Exchange of Diplomatic Notes for Entry into Force of the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement
August 12, 2025
On August 12, at Manilla, Japan and the Philippines exchanged diplomatic notes for the entry into force of the “Agreement between Japan and the Republic of the Philippines Concerning the Facilitation of Reciprocal Access and Cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Armed Forces of the Philippines” (“Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement” or “ Japan-Philippines RAA”) (signed on July 8, 2024). With this exchange of notes, the Agreement will enter into force on September 11, 2025.
- The Japan-Philippines RAA is an agreement which establishes procedures between Japan and the Philippines for the cooperative activities conducted by defense force of one country while visiting the other country and defines a status of the visiting force. It is expected that the Japan-Philippines RAA will facilitate the conduct of cooperative activities, such as joint exercises and disaster relief between Japan and the Philippines, and improve interoperability between the forces of the two countries.
- As the security environment in the region becomes increasingly severe, the entry into force of the Agreement with the Philippines, a strategic partner located at a strategic juncture on the sea lanes and sharing fundamental values and principles, will further promote security and defense cooperation between the two countries, and firmly support peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.