The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) will allow the Philippines and Japan to send military forces to each other's territory for various initiatives, including maintaining peace in the South China Sea (SCS) and West Philippine Sea (WPS).
President Marcos earlier described the proposed agreement as an "extremely significant" deal that would be signed within the year.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru would undertake an official visit to Manila on July 8.
They are scheduled to meet with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr for the convening of the 2nd Philippines-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting ("2+2").
The DFA said the four ministers are expected to discuss bilateral and defense and security issues affecting the region and exchange views on regional and international issues.
During the visit, Manalo and Teodoro will also hold separate bilateral meetings with their counterparts to discuss areas of mutual concern.
Senior Japanese lawmakers, including Japanese House of Representatives member Wada Yoshiaki, are also in the country to look into how Japan and the Philippines can further work together on the WPS problem.
Senior Japanese lawmaker Onodera Itsunori was quoted as saying that they are looking to make significant progress and ratify the RAA during next month's meeting.
The DFA said the 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministers Meeting is the highest consultative mechanism between the Philippines and Japan to date.
It is a platform to further strengthen the decade-old Strategic Partnership between both countries with the inaugural 2+2 held in April 2022 in Tokyo, Japan.
The DND, in a separate announcement, said that during the 2+2, the ministers will engage in comprehensive discussions on a range of bilateral, defense and security issues affecting the region.
This story is from the June 29, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 29, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BDO introduces digital innovations
Sy-led BDO Unibank Inc. has introduced self-service machines and other digital innovations in its physical branches nationwide as part of its strategy of combining digital and physical banking channels to make financial services more accessible for Filipinos.
Tiu returns as president of Phl Infradev
Businessman Antonio Tiu has returned at the helm of listed Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc. after resigning from the post last year.
![Citi sees 150 bps rate cuts in 2 years](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21915/1757104/nTuy3xFoa1720293366974/CITI-SEES-150-BPS-RATE-CUTS-IN-2-YEARS.jpg)
Citi sees 150 bps rate cuts in 2 years
Global banking giant Citi expects the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to cut borrowing costs by a total of 75 basis points this year and another 75 basis points in 2025, which will provide support to the Philippines’ economic growth.
middle-income Phl to attain upper status by late 2025, says NEDA
The Philippines remains on track to achieving upper middle-income status by late next year after exceeding its gross national income (GNI) per capita target last year, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.
EDC switches on P7-B geothermal plant in Albay
Energy Development Corp. (EDC), the renewable energy (RE) arm of Lopez-led First Gen Corp., has switched on its 28.9-megawatt (MW) geothermal plant, valued at around P7 billion, in Manito, Albay.
CNPF hikes spending to support expansion
Century Pacific Food Inc. (CNPF), the listed food and beverage firm of the Po family, is hiking its capital spending this year to fund capacity expansion projects to support the company’s double-digit growth target for the year.
Say hello to wheat straw cups
Tzu Chi Foundation, which originated in Taiwan, has scheduled a charity run on July 21 for one, three, five and 10 kilometers at the UP Diliman campus.
![Security Bank to double green, sustainable loans](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21915/1757104/9JxYUHI4y1720293040161/SECURITY-BANK-TO-DOUBLE-GREEN-SUSTAINABLE-LOANS.jpg)
Security Bank to double green, sustainable loans
Security Bank Corp. plans to double its new sustainable loans to about P80 billion by the end of 2025 as it seeks to take advantage of the growing financing needs for the country’s green transition.
![Citizen scientists mobilized to protect Verde Island Passage](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21915/1757104/dZuGMl87C1720292962266/CITIZEN-SCIENTISTS-MOBILIZED-TO-PROTECT-VERDE-ISLAND-PASSAGE.jpg)
Citizen scientists mobilized to protect Verde Island Passage
The Verde Island Passage (VIP), one of the country’s marine treasures, has received invaluable help from the Lopez Group, which organized an 18-member team of citizen scientists.
Phl, 4 Asian countries to link instant payment systems
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and its global partners have completed the blueprint for the third phase of its Nexus Project and is now preparing for the final phase, which includes the live implementation of cross-border payments connectivity globally.