Manila, Aug. 19 -- Japan will be participating in next year's "Salaknib" military exercises between Filipino and American soldiers, a Philippine Army (PA) official said Tuesday.

In a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said this will be the first time that Japan will be taking part in the annual joint military exercises between Filipino and American forces.

"Based on the initial planning conference, this will be the first activity that will involve Japan," Dema-ala said.

Incidentally, the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan will formally enter into force on Sept. 11.

The RAA is expected to beef up the interoperability between the two nations' militaries aside from affirming mutual readiness t...