Philippines and Japan start talks on visiting defence forces deal

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Marcos at the start of a bilateral meeting in Malacanang on Nov. 3 wherein they agreed to start official talks on a reciprocal access agreement between the armed forces of the Philippines and Japan. - PPA POOL

MANILA: The Philippines will begin this week the formal round of negotiations with Japan on a reciprocal access agreement (RAA) that will serve as the legal basis for both countries when their troops enter each other’s territory for joint military exercises, Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr said on Monday (Nov 27).

The negotiating team led by Defence Undersecretary Pablo Lorenzo left for Tokyo on Monday morning to jump-start the discussions, Teodoro said on the sidelines of a pre-anniversary forum of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.