The Philippines and Japan on Tuesday commenced their first joint military activity under the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), marking a new chapter in bilateral defense cooperation between the two nations.

Dubbed “Doshin-Bayanihan 5-25,” the five-day exercise runs from October 7 to 11 at the Benito N. Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu. The training brings together personnel from the Philippine Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

The Department of National Defense (DND) said the exercise highlights the operational benefits of the RAA, which streamlines procedures for the deployment of forces in each other’s territories for joint training and emergency response.

“With the RAA in place, both activities underscore the agreement’s pivotal role in facilitating enhanced bilateral defense collaboration, ensuring interoperability, and advancing both countries’ shared commitment to regional resilience, security, and stability,” the DND said in a statement.

Coinciding with the training, the Japanese government also extended humanitarian assistance to communities in Cebu affected by the powerful earthquake that struck the region on September 30.

The RAA was signed in Manila on July 8, 2024, ratified by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on November 5, 2024, and approved by the Philippine Senate on December 16, 2024. Japan’s Diet gave its nod on June 6, 2025, and the agreement officially entered into force on September 11, 2025.

President Marcos, who witnessed the signing ceremony last year, has consistently emphasized the importance of regional partnerships in strengthening disaster preparedness and defense capabilities.

The DND expressed its appreciation to the Japanese government for its continued support and reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to deepening strategic ties with Japan.

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