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.

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

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

MANILA - An increasingly complex security environment means Japan and the Philippines need to further enhance their defence cooperation, Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani said on Monday ahead of a bilateral meeting in Manila.

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.