A tugboat tows the Japanese helicopter carrier JS Ise (DDH 182) of the Japan Maritme Self-Defense Force as it approaches the Alava pier at Subic Bay, on a visit to the Philippines. Jun Dumaguing, ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA - Japan and the Philippines will hold a security dialogue involving their defense and foreign ministers in Manila on July 8, a source from the Southeast Asian government said on Monday.

At the second "two-plus-two" talks since their launch in Tokyo in April 2022, the two countries are expected to sign a reciprocal access agreement to enable their defense forces to smoothly access each other's territory for exercises and other purposes.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told Kyodo News late last month that there is a "very strong possibility" they will seal the accord during the upcoming meeting.

Philippines, Japan may seal defense deal at 2-plus-2 meeting in July

Once both countries ratify the RAA, it will enable Japanese forces to participate in the annual large-scale Balikatan military exercise conducted by the Philippines and the United States, he said.

Japan and the Philippines, both U.S. allies, have been ramping up defense cooperation, which includes Japanese defense equipment exports to Manila, amid China's increasing provocations in the East and South China seas.

Philippine Senator Francis Tolentino said in an interview Monday that the RAA should define the legal status of each other's forces while visiting the other country "in a very equal manner, showing respect to the sovereignty of both sides."

His remarks come as a 1998 visiting forces agreement between Manila and Washington has been criticized as unfair, specifically a provision that grants U.S. custody over American service members accused of committing crimes within Philippine territory.

The senator said the envisioned RAA would also enable Philippine troops to go and train in Japan on disaster response, so the Philippines can assist Japan in case of disasters.

Philippines, Japan, US to mount combined naval training amid China’s ‘dangerous behavior'

The two-plus-two meeting is expected to be attended by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and their Philippine counterparts, Enrique Manalo and Teodoro.

==Kyodo