Japan and the Philippines have agreed to further deepen their defense collaborations and start talks on an arrangement to protect shared military information in the face of mutual alarm over China’s increasing aggressive actions in the region.

The two ministers tackled regional security issues, including the maritime situation in the East and South China Seas

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, (right), shakes hands with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani at the start of their press conference in Makati city, Philippines on Feb 24. (AP)

An "increasingly severe" security environment has made deepening security ties with the Philippines a necessity, Japan's defence chief said Monday after a meeting with his counterpart in Manila. "Secretary (Gilberto) Teodoro Jr and I firmly concurred that the security environment surrounding us is becoming increasingly severe and it is

Japan and the Philippines strengthen defense ties against China's aggression, focusing on military cooperation and information protection mechanisms.

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.