The foreign ministers of Japan and the Philippines have agreed to enhance security cooperation between the two countries with China's increasing maritime activities in mind.
Japan's Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko met with her Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo in San Francisco on Wednesday. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
Referring to Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's visit to the Philippines earlier this month, Kamikawa said it was meaningful that the leaders of the two countries confirmed they would maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
Manalo responded that he would like to further enhance relations with Japan.
Amid China's growing maritime presence, Japan will provide the Philippines with coastal surveillance radar systems under its new security assistance program.
The two ministers agreed to boost the bilateral security partnership and steadily promote trilateral cooperation with the United States.
Kamikawa also met with her Peruvian counterpart Javier Gonzalez-Olaechea. They agreed to deepen economic cooperation, including strengthening supply chains of critical minerals such as copper and lead.
Peru will chair next year's APEC meeting. The two countries affirmed they will work together for the meeting's success.