Japan's national security chief, Akiba Takeo, held talks Thursday with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila, against the backdrop of China's muscle-flexing in the East and South China seas.

Akiba, secretary general of the National Security Secretariat, told Marcos that Japan wants to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Likely with China in mind, Akiba said Tokyo hopes to further boost bilateral and multilateral security and defense cooperation with Manila.

Marcos told Akiba he's glad their two countries are cooperating over security and strengthening their positions in the South China Sea.

With 2026 marking the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between Japan and the Philippines, Akiba said he wants to raise their strategic partnership to a higher level.