Tokyo and Manila have long been allies of the United States, which has been strengthening its alliances to counter China’s growing military strength and influence in the region.

Japan and the Philippines signed a key defense pact on Monday that would enable them to deploy troops in each other’s countries, as they bolster security relations amid China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) was signed in Manila, with Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa meeting their Philippine counterparts Gilberto Teodoro and Enrique Manalo.

“A free and open international order based on the rule of law is the foundation of regional peace and prosperity,” she said. “We would like to work closely with your country to maintain and strengthen this,” Kamikawa said.

The defense pact with Manila is Tokyo’s first in Asia.

Japan has previously signed similar deals with Australia in 2022 and with the UK in 2023. It also upgraded a longstanding treaty with the US, originally from 1951, in April this year.