Japanese ministers comment on talks with counterparts in Philippines, signing of defense pact

(8 Jul 2024)
RESTRICTIONS SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Manila, Philippines - 8 July 2024
1. Zoom in of Yoko Kamikawa, Japanese Foreign Minister, and Minoru Kihara, Japanese Defense Minister
2. Cutaway of media
3. Kamikawa and Kihara sitting down
4. Wide of meeting
5. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Yoko Kamikawa, Japanese Foreign Minister:
“We recognize that the signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement, RAA, almost six months after negotiations began is a symbol of the maturity of Japan-Philippines cooperation to a new level. At this 2+2, I would like to discuss further strengthening national security and defense cooperation.”
6. Wide of meeting
7. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Minoru Kihara, Japanese Defense Minister:
“With the signing of the RAA today, it is expected that cooperation and exchanges between the Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine Armed Forces will become even more active. And we welcome this.”
8. Various of meeting
STORYLINE:
Japan and the Philippines signed a key defense pact Monday allowing the deployment of Japanese forces for joint military exercises, including live-fire drills, to the Southeast Asian nation that came under brutal Japanese occupation in World War II but is now building an alliance with Tokyo as they face an increasingly assertive China.
The Reciprocal Access Agreement, which similarly allows Filipino forces to enter Japan for joint combat training, was signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa in a Manila ceremony witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
It would take effect after ratification by the countries’ legislatures, Philippine and Japanese officials said.
Kamikawa called the signing of the defense agreement “a groundbreaking achievement" that should further boost defense cooperation between Japan and the Philippines.
“A free and open international order based on the rule of law is the foundation of regional peace and prosperity," she said. "We would like to work closely with your country to maintain and strengthen this.”
Kamikawa and Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara later held talks with their Philippine counterparts on ways to further deepen relations.
The defense pact with the Philippines is the first to be forged by Japan in Asia. Japan signed similar accords with Australia in 2022 and with Britain in 2023.
AP Video by Joeal Calupitan
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[@jakdee4732]

Banzai!🇯🇵Banzai! 🇵🇭Banzai!🇯🇵 Long Live 10,000 years! RAA🇯🇵🇵🇭

[@PrinceRon-e4q]

Philippines and Japan are u united 1on1 shoulder to shoulder🇯🇵🇵🇭❤️❤️❤️

[@lion_of_the_south_PH_24]

arigato....japan....👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@maje9448]

Barley