Newly promoted Japan Self Defense Forces (JSDF) Joint Staff, Vice Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Matsunaga Koji paid a courtesy call on Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. early this week.

During their meeting in Quezon City last Monday (April 7), Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. congratulated Lt. Gen. Matsunaga Koji on his recent promotion as Vice Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, of the JSDF.

Recalling the outcomes of the Defense Ministerial Meeting between the SND and Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen on February 24, 2025, Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong, Department of National Defense (DND) Spokesman said "both officials noted the positive momentum of the two countries' strategic partnership, particularly in the area of defense and security."

Andolong said "both officials expressed optimism that overall Philippines-Japan defense cooperation will continue to prosper in the coming years."

"Lt. Gen. Matsunaga reaffirmed Japan's commitment to expeditiously work on the attainment of agreed action items during the DMM, such as pursuing frameworks of cooperation to further enhance military-to-military cooperation; enhancing the AFP's maritime and air domain awareness capabilities; and identifying activities/engagements to promote and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific," he said.

"Secretary Teodoro also noted that the entry into force of the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) will further propel the two countries' defense partnership and will significantly improve the AFP and ISDF's interoperability and joint capacities in addressing common security challenges," he added. Robina Asido/DMS