Manila, Oct. 9 -- The Japan Air Self-Defense Force is set to provide support for transporting relief supplies to earthquake victims in Cebu, at the request of the Philippine side -one of the first activities to be conducted by Tokyo under the new Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Manila.

In a statement on Thursday, the Japanese Embassy in Manila announced that the RAA had been applied to the bilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) exercise Doshin-Bayanihan between the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Philippine Air Force conducted in the Philippines on Oct. 7.

"Furthermore, taking advantage of this bilateral exercise opportunity, Japan Air Self-Defense Force will provide support to transport relief supplies...