Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday agreed to start discussions to conclude an intelligence sharing agreement.

The two leaders, meeting at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, also agreed to launch negotiations to conclude an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement.

Japan views its relations with the Philippines as a quasi-alliance and has been enhancing defense cooperation, including by signing an agreement to facilitate visits by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine military.

Some Japanese officials have expressed hope that an intelligence sharing agreement between Tokyo and Manila will enable the sharing of information on Chinese ships and other vessels captured by the Philippine military.

They made the announcement during Tuesday's joint press conference in Malacanang after a bilateral meeting.

Ishiba arrived in Manila last Tuesday and will stay in the country until April 30 for his first official visit as prime minister.

"I look forward to continuing our Strengthened Strategic Partnership with Japan, a country that shares our ideals and aspirations of upholding democratic institutions and a rules-based international order," Marcos added.

Japan signed an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) with the United States in 1998, which set conditions for exchange of logistics support for bilateral training and exercises.

Economic issues were also discussed.

"I conveyed to President Marcos that Japan will cooperate with the Philippines by making use of uniquely Japanese strengths for your country to aim for an upper middle income status that your country is looking for," Ishiba said in Japanese.

ructure and disaster risk reduction.

They also discussed the impact of the reciprocal tariff from the United States. Jiji Press- DMS