During a press conference held in Taguig City on the same day, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. stated that Japan's RAA is not different from its Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with Australia and the United States.
The RAA, signed by Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, grants both nations the right to deploy military forces within each other's territories for joint training.
"The way forward would be for our armed forces to come up with mutually acceptable confidence building measures between and amongst themselves which will include greater training and interoperability exercises," according to Teodoro.
Previously, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Japanese military forces only collaborated for training during disasters or when citizens required assistance, as well as for maritime cooperation.
The expanded military training between the Philippines and Japan will help bolster defense capabilities amidst escalating tensions due to China's positioning and encroachment in the West Philippine Sea.
(Photos from the Department of National Defense)
