Japan's top diplomat seeks stronger ties with Manila

Japan vowed to enhance maritime security cooperation with the Philippines and develop stronger ties as Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday began his first foreign trip to Manila since his country's election last month.

Speaking after a meeting with his Philippine counterpart, Albert del Rosario, Kishida said the two agreed on "strengthening policy dialogue, enhancing maritime cooperation and other measures".

In his first overseas trip as top diplomat since being appointed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Kishida said such cooperation was dictated by major changes in the region's security equation, though he did not elaborate.