Japan, the United States and the Philippines have agreed in an online meeting to continue cooperation in maritime security and other areas.

Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru held a 30-minute video conference with US President Joe Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday.

The three leaders agreed that their countries will keep working together in maritime and economic security and building up infrastructure even after Biden leaves office next week, partly with China's growing maritime activity in mind.

Ishiba also took up an order issued by Biden to block a buyout of US Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel.

He said business leaders in Japan and the US are expressing strong concerns over the move, and urged the US side to alleviate them.

After the talks, Ishiba told reporters that the international situation is getting more complicated, but that he will make more efforts to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law.

Asked when he will meet incoming US president Donald Trump, Ishiba said final coordination is underway to hold talks soon. He added that Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi is scheduled to attend Trump's inauguration ceremony and may discuss the meeting schedule then.