Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. meets Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani during a courtesy visit at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on Feb. 24. (Francis Malasig/Pool via Reuters)

Japan, Philippines to enhance military exchanges and strategic dialogue

Security ties strengthened amid shared concerns over China’s regional actions

Japan, Philippines are key treaty allies of the United States in Asia

Metro Manila, Philippines – 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.