Japan and the Philippines signed a bilateral defense cooperation agreement today to facilitate joint exercises, the Philippine government said, amid growing activity of China in regional waters, Kyodo reported.
Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa signed the agreement at a ceremony in Manila attended by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Reuters reported.
The document creates a framework to facilitate military cooperation, such as facilitating the entry of the host country's military and equipment for visiting forces.
The agreement, which is the first of its kind signed by Japan in Asia, will enter into force after ratification by the legislatures of both countries.