Japan’s view that its ties with the Philippines are at a “near-alliance status” has been welcomed as a sign of the commitment by both countries to tackle their perceived common threats, even as analysts warn that any formalisation towards deeper security cooperation could worsen regional tensions.
Speaking in Tokyo on May 28, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya hailed the close partnership in the presence of Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.
Iwaya and Manalo discussed strengthening defence cooperation, including a prospective agreement for Japan and the Philippines to share classified information, according to a statement released by the Japanese embassy in Manila.
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