July 8, 2024
Ministry of Defense
On July 8 from PM 12:05 for approximately 55 minutes, Defense Minister Kihara held a meeting with the Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. The summary is as follows. Note that date and time is PST.
- At the beginning, Defense Minister Kihara welcomed his first visit to the Philippines since taking office as Defense Minister and held a meeting with the Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr.
- The two Ministers welcomed that the Agreement between Japan and the Republic of the Philippines concerning the facilitation of reciprocal access and cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (“Japan-Philippines RAA”) was signed between the Philippines and Japan in the presence of H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines, prior to the defense ministerial meeting, which symbolizes the deepening Japan-Philippines defense cooperation and exchanges in recent years.
- The Two Ministers welcomed the delivery of the second air surveillance radar in April 2024 and further development of defense cooperation not only bilaterally but also multilaterally, including Japan-US-Australia-Philippines Defense Ministers’ Meeting, Japan-US-Australia-Philippines Quadrilateral Exercise, and Japan - US - Canada - Philippines Quadrilateral Exercise.
- The two Ministers concurred that they will continue to enhance bilateral/multilateral defense cooperation and exchanges, and realize a “Free and Open Indo Pacific (FOIP)” based on the rule of law. They also confirmed to promote bilateral cooperation and exchanges including Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation.
Japan-Philippines Defense Ministerial Meeting (Summary) (PDF)