Japan and the Philippines are set to bolster security ties when President Benigno Aquino visits Tokyo next week, the latest move by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to beef up cooperation with Southeast Asian nations facing China's growing naval ambitions.
The two sides will likely agree to start talks on a framework for the transfer of defense equipment and technology, and discuss a possible pact on the status of Japanese military personnel visiting the Philippines to facilitate joint training and exercises, officials involved in the talks said.
Aquino's June 2-5 trip to Japan follows Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's visit this week, during which the two leaders agreed to upgrade ties to a strategic partnership and to cooperate in the area of defense equipment.
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