MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday witnessed the signing of the landmark Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) which ramps up defense cooperation between the Philippines and Japan amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea.

The agreement allows more Japanese forces to take part in annual military exercises involving the Philippines and the United States such as the "Balikatan" exercises.

Marcos, joined by other key government officials from both countries, was present as the deal was sealed by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and his Japanese counterpart, Defense Minister Kihara Minoru in Malacañang.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witness the ceremonial Signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between Japan Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (left) and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. (right) in Malacañang on Monday, July 08, 2024. Also present during the signing were Japan Defense Minister Kihira Minomura and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo. PHOTOS BY KJ ROSALES/PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witness the ceremonial Signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between Japan Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (left) and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. (right) in Malacañang on Monday, July 08, 2024. Also present during the signing were Japan Defense Minister Kihira Minomura and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo. PHOTOS BY KJ ROSALES/PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witness the ceremonial Signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between Japan Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (left) and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. (right) in Malacañang on Monday, July 08, 2024. Also present during the signing were Japan Defense Minister Kihira Minomura and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo. PHOTOS BY KJ ROSALES/PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witness the ceremonial Signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between Japan Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (left) and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. (right) in Malacañang on Monday, July 08, 2024. Also present during the signing were Japan Defense Minister Kihira Minomura and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo. PHOTOS BY KJ ROSALES/PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witness the ceremonial Signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between Japan Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (left) and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. (right) in Malacañang on Monday, July 08, 2024. Also present during the signing were Japan Defense Minister Kihira Minomura and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo. PHOTOS BY KJ ROSALES/PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witness the ceremonial Signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between Japan Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (left) and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. (right) in Malacañang on Monday, July 08, 2024. Also present during the signing were Japan Defense Minister Kihira Minomura and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo. PHOTOS BY KJ ROSALES/PPA POOL

The RAA is a commitment made at the inaugural PH-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting or 2+2 in April 2022, the Presidential Communications Office earlier said.

First formal negotiations on the RAA were held in Tokyo on November 29-30, 2023. It was led by the Department of National Defense along with officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice.