Japan and Philippines sign disaster relief deal, eye closer security ties

Marcos (left) shaking hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during their meeting at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo. - AFP

TOKYO (Reuters): Japan and the Philippines signed an agreement on disaster relief on Thursday (Feb 9), a deal seen as a precursor to closer security ties between the two nations at a time of heightened tensions with China.

The agreement, called a terms of reference, sets out how their armed forces would work together during disaster relief operations, the Philippines defence ministry said in a statement.