Philippines and Japan to discuss military information sharing

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi agreed Thursday in Tokyo to start talks on a defense pact. The deal would allow the two countries to share military information more easily.

Both nations share concerns about China's increasingly assertive behavior in the region. This worry is pushing the Philippines and Japan to strengthen their security partnership, according to the announcement.

Marcos revealed the agreement after his meeting with Takaichi. He said negotiations would begin on the information-sharing pact right away.

The two leaders also agreed to discuss how to mark maritime borders between their countries. This is a separate but related issue affecting both Asian nations.

The talks mark a step toward closer military cooperation between Manila and Tokyo as regional tensions grow.