Japan, Philippines to discuss information sharing pact to ease arms exports

TOKYO, May 28 (Reuters): Japan and the Philippines said on Thursday they would begin talks on an agreement to ​share classified information to allow Tokyo to step up transfers of military equipment to Manila, including warships. Tokyo and Manila have been steadily upgrading defence and security ties ​in response to China's growing assertiveness in the ​South China Sea and around Taiwan. Japan recently ⁠scrapped longstanding restrictions on combat equipment exports, a ​change expected to benefit the Philippines. "In order to respond ​to the increasingly severe strategic environment in the region, we will continue to deepen cooperation with the Philippines," Japanese Prime Minister ​Sanae Takaichi said at a press announcement in ​Tokyo with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after they agreed to elevate ⁠ties to a "Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership." Japan is considering providing naval destroyers and patrol aircraft to Manila under a new framework for defence equipment cooperation. For Marcos, closer ​alignment with ​Japan dovetails ⁠with his push to shore up security partnerships with the United States and its ​allies as the Philippines contends with repeated ​confrontations ⁠with Chinese vessels in disputed waters. Takaichi and Marcos also agreed to cooperate on energy security, including an initiative ⁠by ​Takaichi to help Asian countries ​better cope with energy shocks in the wake of the U.S.-Israeli war ​on Iran. Photo from Reuters