Japan's government is arranging so-called two-plus-two talks of foreign and defense ministers with the Philippines as early as July in Manila.
Japan is hoping to strengthen security cooperation with the Philippines amid China's increasing activities in the East and South China Seas.
The move comes at a time of growing tensions between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea. Chinese coast guard ships have shot water cannons at Philippine patrol vessels in the waters.
The meeting is expected to bring together Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru, as well as Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo and Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.
The Japanese government plans to make a final decision while taking into account whether the current Diet session will be extended.
If realized, the meeting would be the second of its kind. The first one was held in 2022.
Japan plans to confirm that the two countries will accelerate negotiations toward an early conclusion of a Reciprocal Access Agreement, a deal aimed at smooth preparations for joint exercises between Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the Filipino military.
Ministers are also expected to exchange views over new exports of defense equipment. Japan delivered a radar system to the Philippines last year.