Japan, Philippines eye further defence cooperation at first 2+2 meeting

Japanand thePhilippinesagreed on Saturday to considerfurtherexpandingdefencecooperationagainst a backdrop of regional tensions and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Themeetingin Tokyo of the two Asian nations' foreign anddefenceministers was thefirstin the "2+2" format between the key USallies.

The two countries will look at potentially enhancing cooperative activity and sharing supplies,Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said after themeeting.

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Tokyo and Manila have been at odds with China over its conduct in the East and South China Seas, while Russia's actions in Ukraine and North Korea's missile tests also of mutual concern.

Japanand thePhilippinessigned an agreement to forge closerdefenceties in January 2015 and have since conducted nearly 20 joint naval drills. In 2021 they also held joint air force exercises.

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Japanhas also transferreddefenceand technology equipment that could help thePhilippinesboost patrols in the South China Sea, where it has territorial disputes with China.

JapaneseDefenceMinister Nobuo Kishi, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr and PhilippineDefenceSecretary Delfin Lorenzana also attended themeeting.

Thedefenceministers met on Thursday and agreed tofurtherboost securitycooperationby conducting joint exercises.

The 2+2 framework with thePhilippinesisJapan's ninth such grouping but only the second in Southeast Asia, after Indonesia.