DFA: Japan PM’s visit symbol of strong ties, cooperation

MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo highlighted yesterday the significance of the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to the Philippines next week as a symbol of strength and growing cooperation with its strategic partner.

Ishiba will make an official visit from April 29 to 30.

“Very important (visit) because Japan is our strategic partner and we have very close relations in so many areas,” Manalo told reporters, adding the two countries are set to sign agreements during the visit.

According to Manalo,  the Philippines will hear from Japan the process of completing the ratification of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) that would allow their militaries to deploy on each other’s soil as both countries worry about China’s increasingly assertive stance in the region.

“We have already ratified. We will hear from Japan on the state of their completion of their domestic processes,” he said.

The RAA, the first of its kind that Japan has signed in Asia, was signed between the Philippines and Japan on July 8, 2024 in Manila.

The agreement outlines the provisions on entry and departure, movement, access to facilities and professional practice of the visiting force and civilian component for the purpose of cooperative activities, as well as the rules governing the jurisdiction over the actions of the Visiting Force and Civilian Component.