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PH, Japan Sign New Defense Pact To Boost Military Cooperation
Photo credit: Embassy of Japan in the Philippines
MANILA — The Philippines and Japan have strengthened their defense ties with the signing of a new logistics support agreement on January 15, 2026, aimed at enhancing coordination between their armed forces.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi formalized the Acquisition and Cross‑Servicing Agreement (ACSA) in Manila. The pact provides a framework for the reciprocal provision of supplies and services between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Japan Self‑Defense Forces (JSDF), covering essentials such as food, fuel, transportation, and other logistical support.
The ACSA is designed to streamline support during joint exercises, disaster response missions, humanitarian operations, and other cooperative activities. It also lays out procedures for cost settlements and transactions, reducing red tape and allowing faster, more efficient coordination.
Officials said the agreement will improve operational interoperability, build trust between the two militaries, and enable quicker response to emerging situations. The pact complements previous security arrangements, including the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), reflecting Manila and Tokyo’s commitment to closer defense collaboration amid regional security challenges.
During the signing, both governments reiterated their shared goal of promoting peace, stability, and a rules‑based order in the Indo‑Pacific, while also highlighting Japan’s continued support for the Philippines’ defense capability development and humanitarian initiatives.
The ACSA marks another step in the ongoing deepening of Philippines–Japan security cooperation, signaling readiness to respond effectively to both humanitarian crises and security contingencies.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi formalized the Acquisition and Cross‑Servicing Agreement (ACSA) in Manila. The pact provides a framework for the reciprocal provision of supplies and services between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Japan Self‑Defense Forces (JSDF), covering essentials such as food, fuel, transportation, and other logistical support.
The ACSA is designed to streamline support during joint exercises, disaster response missions, humanitarian operations, and other cooperative activities. It also lays out procedures for cost settlements and transactions, reducing red tape and allowing faster, more efficient coordination.
Officials said the agreement will improve operational interoperability, build trust between the two militaries, and enable quicker response to emerging situations. The pact complements previous security arrangements, including the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), reflecting Manila and Tokyo’s commitment to closer defense collaboration amid regional security challenges.
During the signing, both governments reiterated their shared goal of promoting peace, stability, and a rules‑based order in the Indo‑Pacific, while also highlighting Japan’s continued support for the Philippines’ defense capability development and humanitarian initiatives.
The ACSA marks another step in the ongoing deepening of Philippines–Japan security cooperation, signaling readiness to respond effectively to both humanitarian crises and security contingencies.
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Jan 15, 2026
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