AdvertisementAdvertisementPhilippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, right, greets his Japanese counterpart Gen Nakatani in Makati city, Philippines on Feb 24, 2025. (Photo: AP/Aaron Favila)24 Feb 2025 11:42AM (Updated: 24 Feb 2025 11:43AM) Bookmark Bookmark WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedInRead a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST An increasingly complex security environment means Japan and the Philippines need to further enhance their defence cooperation, Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani said on Monday (Feb 24) ahead of a bilateral meeting in Manila.Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said he would discuss the shared values of a rules-based international order at the talks, saying a resilient partnership was needed to guard against "unilateral attempts by China and other countries to change the international order and the narrative".Security ties between the two US allies have strengthened over the past two years as Japan and the Philippines share common concerns over China's increasingly assertive actions in the region.Last year, Manila and Tokyo signed a landmark military pact allowing the deployment of their forces on each other's soil."As the regional and international security environments have become increasingly complex and intensified, there is an increasing need for Japan and the Philippines to further enhance defence cooperation and collaboration in order to contribute to the peace and stability in the region and international community," Nakatani said.Commentary: With Trump back in office, the world can no longer free-ride on American goodwillSource: Reuters/ecNewsletterWeek in ReviewSubscribe to our Chief Editor’s Week in ReviewOur chief editor shares analysis and picks of the week's biggest news every Saturday.Sign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin hereAlso worth readingContent is loading...Expand to read the full storyGet bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST