00:00Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya made an exclusive interview with some members of the Reciprocal Access Agreement, or RAA,
00:09the VFA that will be given to the entry of Japanese soldiers into the country.
00:15He also said that, like the Philippines, Japan will continue to protect its territory.
00:22Here is my exclusive interview.
00:26This Monday, the Philippines and Japan signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement, or RAA.
00:33This is the agreement that will be given to the entry of Japanese soldiers into the Philippines,
00:38almost like the VFA of the Philippines and America.
00:42The full details of this agreement are still being planned.
00:46But in my exclusive interview with Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya,
00:52he gave an insight into the contents of the agreement.
00:55Ambassador Endo said that the Philippines and Japan will help in pursuing the Japanese servicemen who violated the law.
01:06The RAA is said to be the equivalent of the VFA, which the Philippines has with the United States.
01:12But one of the more controversial provisions of the VFA is the matter of custody of foreign soldiers who commit wrongdoing.
01:20Now I'd like to know, how does the RAA treat cases like this?
01:24Under RAA, the authorities of Japan and the Philippines shall assist each other
01:31in the arrest of members of the visiting forces in the receiving states,
01:38and in handing them over to the authority, which is to exercise jurisdiction.
01:44Also, both countries shall assist each other in the carrying out of all necessary procedures,
01:51investigations into offenses allegedly committed by a member of the visiting force.
01:58Both countries are eligible to exercise their jurisdiction in accordance under Article 21 of the agreement.
02:07Endo said that there is a mechanism to determine the jurisdiction of the Japanese servicemen.
02:15Very simply, the sending state holds the primary jurisdiction of offenses
02:22arising out of any act or commission done in the performance of official duties.
02:31The receiving state can exercise a primary jurisdiction over offenses which are not related to official duties.
02:39Endo hopes that through the RAA, the assistance of the Philippines and Japan will become stronger.
02:47Can you tell us how soon we can start seeing some activity as far as the RAA is concerned?
02:53It depends on the approval process of our respective Congress and Diet in the respective countries.
03:01But I hope that we can further promote the defense and security cooperations in the near future.
03:07In my interview, I asked Endo about China's statement that Japan should not be involved in the talks
03:15between the Philippines and China regarding the West Philippine Sea.
03:19That is after Japan condemned the aggressive action of the China Coast Guard to the Philippine Navy
03:25where a Filipino soldier was cut off his finger.
03:30China issued a statement saying that Japan has no right to meddle in maritime issues between the Philippines and China.
03:37What's your government's reaction to this?
03:40Japan believes that the issue concerning the South China Sea is directly related to the peace and stability in the region
03:51and is a legitimate concern to all the parties of the international community.
03:56And thus Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or by coercive actions
04:06as well as any actions that will increase the tensions in the region.
04:10This is why Japan reiterated serious concerns over repeated actions which obstruct freedom of navigation
04:20and increase regional tensions including recent dangerous actions in Ayuginsho
04:26that resulted in damages to the Filipino vessel and injuries to the Filipinos on board.
04:34I'd like to know what does Japan have to gain from making a stand as far as this issue is concerned?
04:41For us, upholding the rules-based maritime order in this region particularly is in the interest of Japan.
04:50And it is very much important for us to support the country that is respecting the rules of law in the maritime sphere.
05:00I'd like to know, Mr. Ambassador, what can the Philippines learn from Japan as far as dealing with the situation is concerned?
05:06I think we are facing various similar challenges in the maritime sphere, East China Sea, South China Sea.
05:17But at the same time, the situation in Japan and in the Philippines are not exactly identical, of course.
05:28Japan and China have established some frameworks like including fishery treaties or the rescue agreements between the two countries.
05:44So that might be something that we can work together.
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