Japan says keen to deepen security ties with Philippines, US, Australia

MANILA (Reuters) – Japan is keen to deepen security ties with the Philippines, the United States and Australia under trilateral and quadrilateral arrangements, its defence minister said on Monday.

Defence Minister Minoru Kihara spoke in Manila during a joint press conference with his Philippine counterpart after Japan and the Philippines signed a reciprocal access agreement for their defence forces.

Japan’s foreign and defence ministers are in Manila for talks with their Philippine counterparts in a “two-plus-two” format on Monday.

(Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by John Mair)