Japan, Philippines to sign plans to boost defense ties


              Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during their joint press remarks after their talks at prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (Kimimasa Mayama/Pool Photo via AP)
            
              Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., second left, and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos meet Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)
            
              FILE - Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a news conference at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2022. Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are expected to sign key agreements to boost their defense ties Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, as Asia sees tensions around China’s growing influence. (David Mareuil/Pool Photo via AP, File)
            
              FILE - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gestures during his speech at the 2022 Department of Environment and Natural Resources Multi-stakeholder Forum in Manila, Philippines, on Oct. 5, 2022. Marcos and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are expected to sign key agreements to boost their defense ties Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, as Asia sees tensions around China’s growing influence. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)
Japan, Philippines to sign plans to boost defense ties