U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday met virtually with his counterparts from Japan and the Philippines to advance cooperation among the three countries, the White House said.

Partnering with Southeast Asia is “vital for regional peace and stability,” Japan’s top diplomat says during Manila visit.

Newsweek reached out to the Philippine Coast Guard and Chinese Foreign Ministry with written requests for comment. Why It Matters. Beijing claims most of the South China Sea as it

Japan and Indonesia agreed to enhance cooperation on maritime security with an eye on China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea over territorial claims.

Japan is gravely concerned about actions in the South China Sea that are raising tensions, and strongly opposes any unilateral attempt to change the status quo, its foreign minister said on Wednesday.

Japan's foreign minister, Takeshi Iwaya, has expressed concern over escalating tensions in the South China Sea and opposes any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo. During a visit to the Philippines,

Japan positions itself as a key regional stabilizer amid growing security concerns, potential U.S. diplomatic shifts, analysts said.

Dr Taizo Miyagi of Chuo University told The Straits Times that while the relationship that Japan has built with Asean since the end of World War II has been a “great asset for its diplomacy”, Japan’s presence in the region has inevitably weakened relative to China’s.

The Philippines on Monday (Jan 13) called on Beijing to desist from "escalatory actions" at a South China Sea shoal and said a protest has been lodged over the presence of Chinese coast guard, militia and navy in its exclusive economic zone.

Japans Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has urged U.S. President Joe Biden to address concerns surrounding Nippon Steels $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel. The request came during an online meeting with Biden

Philippines Files Protest Over Beijing's 'Escalatory Actions' in South China Sea ... and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba where the three leaders discussed China's conduct in the South ...