Philippines, Japan agree in principle on new defense logistics pact

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Japan have reached an agreement in principle on a new defense pact that will allow their armed forces to exchange supplies and services.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japan’s newly elected prime minister, Takaichi Sanae, welcomed the agreement during their first-ever bilateral meeting Sunday, October 26, on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

The Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) will streamline coordination and resource-sharing between the two militaries during exercises, humanitarian missions and other operations. Negotiations for the agreement began in April.

This comes over a month after the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) — which allows troop deployments from both countries for joint drills and disaster relief — entered into force in September and was applied this month for the first time in transporting relief goods to Cebu after an earthquake.

"Both leaders concurred on continuing working to strengthen the foundation for security cooperation that contributes to the peace and stability of the Philippines and the region," Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Sunday, October 26.

Marcos highlighted that defense ties with Japan, alongside the Philippines–United States–Japan trilateral cooperation, are “a cornerstone of regional peace, stability, and development,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement on Sunday. 

Takaichi also pledged Japan’s continued support for enhancing the resilience of the Philippine economy and infrastructure, citing plans to help boost food security through post-harvest rice processing equipment and to advance energy cooperation. 

She noted the recent signing of a memorandum on comprehensive energy cooperation at the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) ministerial meeting earlier this month, saying Tokyo is ready to pursue civil nuclear collaboration with Manila and work toward the success of AZEC next year.

Marcos thanked Japan for its ongoing development assistance and said he hoped to widen cooperation beyond official development aid to other sectors.

Takaichi, who took office on October 21, "expressed her pleasure to hold a meeting with President Marcos soon after assuming office," Japan's foreign affairs ministry said. 

Both sides said they will continue close coordination on international challenges, including the South China Sea, North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, Myanmar, and the Cambodia-Thailand border situation, as the Philippines prepares to chair ASEAN in 2026. This will also coincide with the 70th anniversary of Japan-Philippines diplomatic relations.

Marcos arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Saturday, October 25, to participate in the 47th ASEAN summit and other meetings set for Oct. 26-28, 2025.

In February, Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro Jr. held a joint meeting in Manila where they agreed to establish a “high-level framework for strategic operational cooperation” and deepen military exchanges.