Japan, Philippines to Hold 2-Plus-2 Security Talks in

Manila, June 10 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese and Philippine governments have agreed to hold a "two-plus-two" security meeting of their foreign and defense ministers in Manila on July 8, Philippine government sources told Jiji Press on Monday.
 

Through the meeting, the two sides aim to reinforce bilateral security relations amid China's increasingly hegemonic moves in the South China Sea.
 

They may sign a reciprocal access agreement to facilitate mutual visits by Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine military, the sources said.
 

The upcoming meeting will be the second of its kind, after the first one in April 2022. It will be attended by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and their Philippine counterparts, Enrique Manalo and Gilberto Teodoro, respectively.
 

In April, Japan, the Philippines and the United States held their first trilateral summit in Washington and agreed to deepen their economic and security cooperation.
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