Japan Diet OKs defense cooperation pact with Philippines
The reciprocal access agreement eases restrictions on the movement of personnel between the two forces to facilitate joint drills and disaster relief operations, making the Philippines Japan's third RAA partner after Australia and Britain.
The House of Councillors, Japan's upper chamber, approved the pact after the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the Diet, endorsed it last month. The two Asian countries signed the deal in July last year during two-plus-two ministerial security talks in Manila.
Tokyo and Manila share concerns over Beijing's maritime activities, as Chinese vessels have clashed with Philippine ships near disputed shoals in the South China Sea and repeatedly entered waters around the Japan-controlled, China-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
On Friday, Japan's upper house also approved an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement with Italy to streamline procedures for providing supplies and services such as food, fuel, ammunition and repair work between their forces.
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