Philippines says military logistics pact with Japan now in force

Ditas B Lopez, Bloomberg News on Aug 22, 2026

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A bilateral defense pact signed early this year allowing Japan and the Philippines to exchange supplies and services for joint exercises or crises has come into force, according to the Southeast Asian nation’s defense department, amid rising tensions with China.

The military logistics pact, signed in January, allows the armed forces of the two nations to exchange support and complements a reciprocal access agreement signed last year to make joint exercises and troop deployments easier.

The agreement deepens a Japan-Philippines security partnership as both countries respond to China’s growing military and maritime activity in the region. Manila is confronting Beijing over disputed areas of the South China Sea, while Tokyo faces its own security concerns regarding China.

“The Department of National Defense welcomes the entry into force of the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement between the Philippines and Japan,” it said in a statement on Saturday.

The agreement “will greatly impact our bilateral activities including exercises and humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” it added.