US Urges Stronger Ties With Japan, Philippines Ahead of Summit.

A senior US official has called for stronger ties between the US, Japan, and the Philippines ahead of an upcoming summit. The three countries share concerns over China's assertiveness and are looking to enhance their relationships in areas such as infrastructure, technology, education, and the rule of law. Japan and the Philippines are particularly focused on bolstering their military cooperation with the US due to increasing maritime tensions with China. The summit, which will include US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is seen as a continuation of strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. [Extracted from the article]