PHILIPPINES and Japan have agreed to start negotiations on a bilateral acquisition and cross-servicing agreement which would facilitate the exchange of defense supplies and logistical support between the two countries, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. yesterday said.
Marcos and Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru met in Malacañang yesterday.
In a joint statement, Marcos highlighted the defense cooperation between Manila and Tokyo, which he said has contributed to the Philippines’ efforts to boost its defense and security aspect.
He said the Philippines was the first recipient of Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA), which has allowed the country’s security agencies, especially the Department of National Defense, to achieve meaningful upgrades.
In July last year, the two nations also signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement, which facilitated the conduct of cooperative activities such as drills and disaster relief operations.
“Japan has been of great assistance in helping us achieve our aspiration for peace and friendship with all nations with strength and with integrity. Further, we have agreed to start negotiations on an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA),” the president said.
Ishiba said that apart from the negotiation on ACSA, Tokyo and Manila would start a government-to-government discussion on the “potential conclusion of a security of information agreement in the future.”
He said he and Marcos, during their bilateral talk, also affirmed the importance of the trilateral cooperation among Japan, the Philippines and the United States.
He said they also talked of the regional and international developments and hopes that “our two nations can continuously communicate with each other to oppose attempts, to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas by force or coercion and to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the Rule of Law.”
Both countries have overlapping claims with China which is claiming almost the entire South China Sea.
Ishiba said both the Philippines and Japan are also bound by fundamental values, including the rule of law, as well as shared challenges in the areas of security, economy, and disaster prevention.
Marcos welcomed the visit of Ishiba, which he said highlighted the stability, harmony, mutual respect, and immense benefit that both countries enjoy.
He said that these are signs of the “golden age” of relations between the two countries will celebrate the 70th year of their diplomatic relations next year.
Marcos said apart from celebrating this milestone, it also lays the groundwork for “a resonant and inspiring future where we engage across all sectors.”
“I look forward to continuing our strengthened strategic partnership with Japan, a country that shares our ideals and aspirations of upholding democratic institutions and a rules-based international order,” he said.
He also congratulated Japan for the successful opening of the Expo 2025 Osaka, expressing that the Philippines is excited and proud to be part of it.
Ishida, who invited Marcos to attend the Expo, said other parts of their “frank conversations” also included Japan’s support for the Philippines’ bid to achieve upper middle-income status particularly through “a package of corporations covering telecommunications, AZEC (Asia Zero Emission Community), energy, mineral resources, infrastructure and disaster risk reduction and others.”
“The President and I agreed to further strengthen our partnership on these areas,” he said, adding that he is also looking forward to deepening cooperation in the agriculture sector.
Ishida said they also talked about the parallel tariff imposed by the US and its impact on the multilateral free trade regime and the world economy.
“Many Japanese companies have been playing a role in the local economy here in the Philippines. I conveyed to President Marcos that I will listen carefully to the voices so that they will be able to bring forth better solutions,” he added.
The US imposed a high tariff on over 100 countries but suspended it for 90 days pending negotiations.
Ishida is in the country for an overnight official visit.
