Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement Signed

Japanese FM Yoko Kamikawa and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement in Manila—making the Philippines the first Asian country to sign such a pact with Japan. The RAA allows Japanese troops to train on Philippine soil for the first time since WWII, and enables joint maritime patrols. China called the agreement an attempt to 'target' third parties and reminded Tokyo of its wartime occupation of the Philippines.