Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and Japan’s Minister of Defense Koizumi Shinjiro held talks in Makati City, reaffirming their commitment to enhanced defense cooperation.
The two officials discussed mutual concerns during their meeting on Tuesday. They welcomed progress under the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement and the signing of the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement.
Teodoro described the agreements as an expression of the highest level of trust between the two countries. Both sides also noted increased joint activities, such as humanitarian assistance exercises and Japan’s role in Exercise Balikatan.
Separately, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya met with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to prepare for an expected state visit by President Marcos to Japan later this month. The discussions focused on amending the existing memorandum of cooperation on agriculture to create a joint committee.
