Japan and the Philippines, however, have steadily deepened defense and security ties largely due to concerns over Chinese aggression in the region. Associated Press journalists Joeal Calupitan and Aaron Favila contributed to this report.

Tokyo, Manila to establish ‘strategic dialogue,’ move toward defense equipment, technology cooperation - Anadolu Ajansı

The two ministers tackled regional security issues, including the maritime situation in the East and South China Seas

Japan and the Philippines strengthen defense ties against China's aggression, focusing on military cooperation and information protection mechanisms.

Japan and the Philippines agreed on Monday to further deepen defense ties in the face of an “increasingly severe” security environment in the Indo-Pacific region, Japanese defense minister Gen Nakatani said on Monday.

Philippine defence minister Gilberto Teodoro said he would discuss China's attempts to change the international order during a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart in Manila on Monday. (Reporting by Mikhail Flores;