By Shirin Bhandari | 2026-01-28

The Philippines and Japan have signed a logistics pact that would let their militaries supply each other during joint training and operations. The two US allies' growing collaboration comes as as maritime tensions with China persist.

China has disputes over maritime territory and islands with the two countries, as well as with many other Indo-Pacific countries.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi signed the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) in Metro Manila January 15.

Coordination of force resupply

The signing comes as Manila and Tokyo mark the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations. The agreement sets out procedures for reciprocal support such as fuel, food, ammunition and other supplies, including tax-free provision of certain items, when the two countries' forces conduct combined activities.

Japan portrayed the deal as part of a broader effort to strengthen coordination with Manila along critical waterways.

"The Philippines faces important sea lanes, including the South China Sea and the Luzon Strait, and plays an important role in regional security. Moreover, the Philippines is a strategic partner with which Japan is further strengthening relations towards realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific," the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The agreements "reflect the close and evolving collaboration between the Philippines and Japan under our Strengthened Strategic Partnership, and supports ongoing collaboration across priority areas of the relationship," said Lazaro.

This partnership is rooted in shared principles, said Lazaro, stating, "We both recognized the value of promoting the rule of law, including the freedom of navigation and overflight, especially in the South China Sea," according to the Associated Press.

Beyond combat readiness, officials pointed to the ACSA's utility in humanitarian efforts. The arrangement is expected to enhance joint responses to natural disasters and support participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The ACSA complements the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) the two countries signed in 2024, which allows each side to deploy forces to the other's territory for larger-scale exercises.

The RAA took effect last September, widening the legal framework for training that the ACSA would now support with logistics and services. While the ACSA requires ratification by Japanese legislators, Manila can enact it without senate ratification, according to Philippine media reports.

Naval and telecom assistance

Meanwhile, Japan announced 900 million JPY ($5.6 million) in Official Security Assistance (OSA) funding to modernize the Philippine military. This first OSA infrastructure project includes the construction of boathouses and slipways for the Philippine navy.

This funding deal follows the recent delivery of coastal radar systems to Manila under the same program. "For the Philippines, increasing the capacity of maritime domain awareness and maritime security is important," said Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kitamura Toshihiro.

Separately, the two sides signed a 1.63 billion JPY ($10.3 million) Economic and Social Development Program grant to provide wireless communication equipment for the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. This region in Mindanao has historically lagged in infrastructure because of security concerns and geographical conditions.

The project aims to eliminate the digital divide by establishing microwave radio transmission devices for schools, hospitals and government facilities.

Disputes with China

The agreements come as the Philippines and China continue to clash in the South China Sea, where China claims most of the waterway and has expanded its coast guard and naval presence.

An international tribunal ruling in 2016 rejected the legal basis of China's expansive sovereignty claims, though Beijing has rejected the decision. Japan has faced similar friction with China in the East China Sea, where Beijing routinely dispatches vessels near Japanese-controlled islands.

To further secure this expanding partnership, Japanese and Philippine officials are now negotiating an additional agreement to protect military intelligence that they share, the Associated Press reported.