THE Air Force (PAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) formally opened Doshin-Bayanihan 5-25 at the Benito N. Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Wednesday.
The exercise is the first for the PAF and JASDF since the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the two countries entered into force on September 11.
The term ‘Doshin’ translates to ‘same mind’ in Japanese while ‘Bayanihan’ means ‘mutual support’ in Filipino.
The exercise, scheduled to take place from October 7-11 aims to enhance interoperability and deepen cooperation between the two air forces, particularly in the areas of humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR).
About 143 PAF personnel and 30 JASDF members are taking part in the training activities which aims to enhance airlift, mobility, and medical operations.
Aside from these, night vision goggle flights for PAF observation, will also be conducted for the first time in this year’s Doshin-Bayanihan.
Both air forces are deploying C-130 aircraft, with operations designed to simulate real-world HADR scenarios.
Actual disaster relief operations will be applied to aid Cebu residents in light of the recent earthquake that struck the province.
‘ Doshin-Bayanihan stands as a testament to the deepening defense partnership between the Philippines and Japan. Beyond strengthening military capabilities, it highlights the shared commitment of both nations to regional cooperation, disaster response, and the promotion of peace, security, and humanitarian assistance across the Asia-Pacific Region,’ the PAF said in a statement.
In a statement on Thursday, the Japanese Embassy in Manila announced that the RAA had been applied to the bilateral HADR exercise Doshin-Bayanihan between the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Air Force (PAF) conducted in the Philippines starting October 7.
‘Furthermore, taking advantage of this bilateral exercise opportunity, Japan Air Self-Defense Force will provide support to transport relief supplies within the Philippines, in response to the request from the Philippines, for the relief operations responding to the earthquake in Cebu that occurred late on September 30,’ it said.
‘The Japan-Philippines RAA will also be applied to this transport of relief supplies.’
On Sept. 30, Tokyo and Manila convened the Joint Committee meeting on RAA, where arrangements to implement the deal were discussed among officials of the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense for Japan, and the Department of National Defense and other relevant Philippine agencies.
The arrangements will pave the way for the smooth conduct of cooperative activities such as joint exercises and disaster relief operations by both countries while enhancing interoperability between their respective forces.
‘Amid an increasingly challenging regional security environment, security and defense cooperation with the Philippines -a strategic partner sharing fundamental values and principles with Japan, which is located at a point of strategic importance on sea lanes- will be further promoted,’ it said.
‘This will provide robust support for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.’
The RAA was ratified by President Marcos and was concurred in by the Senate on December 16, 2024.
It entered into force on Sept. 11, 2025.