By Patricia Lourdes Viray
MANILA, Philippines — Japan has expressed readiness to contribute in the trilateral cooperation between the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia in addressing piracy and terrorism, the Department of National Defense said.
During the Philippines-Japan vice-ministerial meeting in Tokyo last Friday, Japanese Vice Minister for International Affairs Ro Manabe asked the Philippines on how Japan could best help in curbing piracy and kidnapping in the three countries' shared maritime areas.
Manabe also assured the Philippines of Japan's support for its chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, according to a statement from the Department of National Defense (DND).
he Japanese vice minister stressed that Japan is ready to promote defense cooperation with ASEAN member states.
"Japan is ready to pursue deeper defense cooperation with the Philippines through exchanges and defense equipment transfer, according to the vice-minister," the DND said.
Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Defense Policy Ricardo David Jr. acknowledged Japan's contribution to the capability of Philippine defense forces.
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