France and Japan to Begin Talks on Reciprocal Troop Access Deal
France and Japan have agreed to initiate formal discussions on a reciprocal troop access agreement (RAA), bolstering their military collaboration amidst heightened maritime tensions in the Indo-Pacific and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
This decision comes after years of joint military exercises between the G7 allies, both bilaterally and within a broader group. France has actively pursued the commencement of RAA talks for over a year.
RAAs establish frameworks to streamline military cooperation, simplifying the entry of foreign personnel and equipment for visiting forces.
"They agreed to start negotiations," a Japanese government official confirmed during a meeting between Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. "Given the accumulation of cooperation and (military) exercises, we consider this important."
A statement from the Japanese government corroborated the agreement to proceed with talks. The French presidency, in its own statement, emphasized that finalizing the RAA would enhance interoperability between the two militaries.
This development aligns with Japan's significant military expansion announced in December 2023, marking a shift from its post-war pacifist stance. Japan has already secured RAAs with Australia and the United Kingdom, and is currently in negotiations for a third with the Philippines.
The official estimated that an agreement with France could be finalized within a year, while a French diplomatic source expressed hope for a "very quick" conclusion.
Japan's pursuit of stronger defense ties stems from concerns regarding China's actions, including pressure on Taiwan, regional freedom of navigation, and trade disputes. Additionally, Japan has staunchly supported Ukraine in its war against Russia, emphasizing the critical importance of safeguarding the rules-based international order.
"We see what's happening in Europe and the Indo-Pacific as inseparable," the government official stated.
France maintains territories and stationed armed forces in the Indo-Pacific, where it actively seeks to expand its presence. As Kishida adopts a more robust military policy in the region, France aims to highlight its potential for playing a more significant role in Japan's defense industry, similar to its involvement in the civilian nuclear power sector.
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu has previously expressed Paris's desire to establish an RAA with Japan.