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Philippines, Japan still discussing visiting forces accord

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Kyodo News

The Philippines and Japan are still discussing an agreement that would allow Japan&#x27;s defense forces to routinely use military bases on Philippine soil, a visiting Japanese defense official said Wednesday.The agreement, the idea of which was proposed under the previous administration of President Benigno Aquino between 2010 and 2016, is being discussed at a &quot;policy&quot; level of the two governments, Maj. Gen. Satoru Nomura of the Ground Self-Defense Force told Kyodo News.Speaking on the sidelines of a ceremony marking the end of a 10-day joint defense exercise that involved troops of the Philippines, the United States and Japan, Nomura, director of bilateral coordination at the GSDF&#x27;s Ground Component Command, said Tokyo and Manila are continuing to coordinate on the subject.Around 100 GSDF troops participated in the exercise, dubbed &quot;Kamandag&quot; (venom), along with more than 1,000 U.S. and Philippine soldiers.The exercise included counter-terrorism drills, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations on and off the coast of the country&#x27;s main island of Luzon.Participating troops used armored amphibious vehicles and support aircraft, and engaged in live-fire exercises during simulations.

The Philippines and Japan are still discussing an agreement that would allow Japan's defense forces to routinely use military bases on Philippine soil, a visiting Japanese defense official said Wednesday.

The Philippines and Japan are still discussing an agreement that would allow Japan's defense forces to routinely use military bases on Philippine soil, a visiting Japanese defense official said Wednesday.