Japan Bolsters Closest-Ever Security Ties With Philipines as China Rattles Region

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila on November 3, 2023. Aaron Favila / POOL / AFP

Japan and the Philippines agreed to begin talks to allow Japanese troop deployments on Filipino soil, as China’s actions in the region drive the two partners into their closest-ever security ties.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s weekend trip to meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila also focused on bolstering trilateral cooperation with the U.S., a treaty partner to both countries.

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