Manila, Jul 8 (AP) Japan and the Philippines on Monday signed a defence pact allowing their troops to enter each other's country for joint military training.

The Reciprocal Access Agreement was signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa in a ceremony in Manila witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Also Read | Earthquake in Japan: Quake of Magnitude 6.3 on Richter Scale Hits Ogasawara Islands.

It will take effect after ratification by the countries' legislatures.

The defense pact with the Philippines is the first to be forged by Japan in Asia.

Also Read | French Elections Exit Poll Results 2024: Left-Wing Bloc To Beat Far-Right, Emmanuel Macron's Party Projected To Win Most Seats; No Bloc Likely To Gain Majority.

Many of Japan's Asian neighbors, including the Philippines, came under Japanese aggression until its defeat in World War II and Japan's efforts to bolster its military role and spending could be a sensitive issue. Japan and the Philippines, however, have steadily deepened defense and security ties.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)