Japan Explores Military Support for Allies Amid Rising Regional Tensions

Japan is preparing to offer military aid to the Philippines to help secure sea approaches and safeguard Taiwan's western flank, amid concerns of a Chinese attack on Taiwan that could spark a wider conflict. The aid includes radars that would help the Philippines plug defensive gaps. The scope of Japanese military aid is limited by a self-imposed ban on lethal equipment exports, but looser export rules are expected in coming months. The move deepens security ties between the two countries and could bring Japanese forces back to the Philippines for the first time since World War Two.