The Philippines and Japan have reinforced their defense cooperation with the signing of the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) on January 15 in Manila.
The deal, inked by Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, establishes “a legal framework” for reciprocal logistical support, including fuel, food, medical services, and spare parts during joint training and operations.
Lazaro said the agreement “aims to enhance” both nations’ “mutual military interoperability and readiness,” while Motegi emphasized that “the Philippines is a strategic partner of Japan, connected by the sea.”
The signing also included two additional accords: ₱341 million in Official Security Assistance (OSA) for maritime infrastructure and ₱617 million in Grant Aid to expand wireless broadband in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. Motegi noted the OSA project is Japan’s “first infrastructure project under Japan’s OSA program.”
Japan’s Press Secretary Kitamura Toshihiro confirmed the Philippines is the 11th country to enter into such an agreement.
The move follows the 2024 Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which streamlined visiting forces’ entry and exit, and builds on commitments made by President Marcos and Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae during the 2025 ASEAN Summit.
Both sides underscored their shared stance against “unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East and South China Seas,” highlighting the pact as part of their vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
Lazaro reaffirmed, “Japan is a vital strategic partner of the Philippines,” stressing that ties remain anchored in democracy, rule of law, and regional stability.