Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila on Tuesday. The leaders pledged to deepen security ties amid territorial disputes with China.
Both countries oppose attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas by force. They agreed to begin negotiations on a defense pact, the Acquisition and Cross-servicing Agreement.
The agreement would allow Japan to provide resources during joint training exercises in the Philippines. Discussions also included the impact of US tariffs and retaliation between the US and China on the global economy.