Manila: The Japan Air Self-Defense Force is poised to assist in transporting relief supplies to earthquake victims in Cebu, following a request from the Philippine government. This marks one of the initial activities under the recently activated Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between Japan and the Philippines.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Japanese Embassy in Manila stated on Thursday that the RAA was applied to the bilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise, Doshin-Bayanihan, which took place between the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Philippine Air Force in the Philippines on October 7. This agreement enables Japan to support transporting relief supplies within the Philippines for operations responding to the earthquake in Cebu that occurred on September 30.

The Japan-Philippines RAA, which was ratified by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and concurred by the Senate on December 16, officially came into force on September 11, 2025. This agreement facilitates cooperative activities such as joint exercises and disaster relief operations, enhancing interoperability between Japanese and Philippine forces.

The RAA was further discussed during a Joint Committee meeting held on September 30 between Tokyo and Manila, where officials from the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense for Japan, and the Department of National Defense and other relevant Philippine agencies convened to discuss implementation arrangements. This cooperation is seen as a strategic step in strengthening security and defense ties amid an increasingly challenging regional security environment.

Japan and the Philippines are strategic partners sharing fundamental values, with Japan emphasizing the importance of the Philippines' strategic location on sea lanes. The agreement is expected to provide robust support for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.