Japan, Philippines hold first joint naval exercise

From left: Japan's Defence Minister Minoru Kihara, Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Philippines' Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, and Philippines' Secretary of Defence Gilberto Teodoro joining hands during a press conference after the two countries signed a key defence pact on July 8, 2024. - AFP

MANILA: The Philippine and Japanese navies held their first joint exercise on Friday (Aug 2) in the South China Sea, as the two US allies boost security ties in the face of China's growing pressure.

The drills followed the signing less than a month ago of an agreement between Manila and Tokyo to allow the deployment of troops on each other's territory.