Japan is open to negotiating and concluding an information security agreement with the Philippines, the spokesman for its foreign ministry said yesterday.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Tuesday that his country and the Philippines would start talks on two proposed defense pacts to further boost their security alliance and would continue to fight aggression in disputed Asian waters in an obvious rebuke of China.

The Philippines and Japan plan to expand their security partnership, their leaders said, as both countries grapple with maritime disputes with China.