The Philippines-Japan Mutual Provision of Goods and Services Agreement (ACSA) officially comes into effect

(Central News Agency reporter Lin Xingjian, Manila, 22nd) The Philippines-Japan Mutual Provision of Goods and Services Agreement (ACSA) came into effect today, further strengthening practical cooperation, mutual trust and collaborative action capabilities between the security forces of the two countries, and helping to conduct joint military exercises and humanitarian assistance operations.

Kazuya Endo, the Japanese ambassador to the Philippines, posted on the social platform

The Philippine Department of Defense later issued a statement welcoming the entry into force of ACSA. Department of Defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong pointed out that ACSA will help strengthen bilateral operational cooperation through more efficient and coordinated provision of supplies and services, including military exercises and disaster response.

Andolong said that this agreement also demonstrates the actual implementation of the "comprehensive strategic partnership" between the Philippines and Japan, reflecting mutual trust between the two parties and their joint pursuit of the goal of freedom and openness in the Indo-Pacific region.

On January 15 this year, Philippine Foreign Minister Maria Theresa Lazaro and visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi signed the ACSA.

This agreement further completes the legal and logistical structure of security cooperation between the two parties, allowing the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Japan Self-Defense Forces to provide each other with support in food, fuel, ammunition supplies, transportation and medical care during joint military exercises, training and other cooperation activities.

Lazaro said at the time that the ACSA and the Philippines-Japan Mutual Access Agreement (RAA), which will take effect in September 2025, complement each other and enhance the coordinated action and combat readiness capabilities of both parties; the RAA aims to simplify the procedures for troops from both sides to participate in joint military exercises and defense cooperation activities in each other's territory.