Philippine, Japan ministers agree to enhance defense partnership

Two nations boost ties in face of 'increasingly severe' security environment

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, center, arrives at a naval station in the Philippines on Feb. 23. © Reuters

February 24, 2025 14:19 JST

MANILA (Reuters) -- 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.

Nakatani met his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro in Manila for a meeting in which the two ministers tackled regional security issues, including the maritime situation in the East and South China Seas.