US-Japan-PH summit to boost defense ties

TOKYO: Japanese and Philippine leaders head to Washington this week for a trilateral summit aimed at boosting defense ties, hot on the heels of four-way military drills in the South China Sea with Australia.

A major upgrade of US defense ties with increasingly self-confident Japan could be announced, as well as joint coast guard patrols with Manila in areas disputed with China.

Also on the agenda will be securing access to vital supplies such as semiconductors and rare metals, North Korea's growing belligerence, and the Japanese takeover of US Steel opposed by President Joe Biden.

This handout photograph taken on April 7, 2024 and released by the Armed Forces of the shows the BRP Antonio Luna participating in the first Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, US, Australia and Japan, in South China Sea. AFP PHOTO /ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES This handout photograph taken on April 7, 2024 and released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), shows three vessels HMAS Warramunga, USS Mobile and JS Akebono as seen from the BRP Antonio Luna, conducting the division tactics exercise or Officer of the Watch maneuver during the first Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, US, Australia and Japan, in South China Sea. AFP PHOTO /Armed Forces of the Philippines This handout photograph taken on April 7, 2024 and released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), shows shows HMAS Warramunga, USS Mobile and JS Akebono maneuvering to form diamond formation during the first Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, US, Australia and Japan, in South China Sea. AFP PHOTO /Armed Forces of the Philippines In this handout photo taken and received on April 7, 2024 from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), shows participating ships displaying their station-keeping skills with precision as they maneuver into different formations as part of the Division Tactics / Officer of the Watch maneuver during the first Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, US, Australia and Japan, in South China Sea. AFP PHOTO / Armed Forces of the Philippines In this handout photo