Manila, Oct. 7 -- The Philippines and Japan on Tuesday kicked off their first activity since the military access pact signed by both countries entered into force last month.

The inaugural activity, the "Doshin-Bayanihan 5-25," is a combined training exercise between the Philippine Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force, the Department of National Defense (DND) said in a statement.

Scheduled from Oct. 7 to 11 at the Benito N. Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu, the combined training exercise will focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the DND added.

The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan entered into force on Sept. 11, allowing greater military cooperation between the two nations by stream...