Japan to export six used destroyers to the Philippines to counter China's maritime expansion.

Japan plans to export six used Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines to bolster defenses against China's maritime expansion. The destroyers, in service for over three decades, were agreed upon by defense ministers during a meeting in Singapore. The Philippine military will inspect the ships this summer. Japan will treat the installation of requested equipment as a joint project to bypass export restrictions under its pacifist constitution. This move strengthens military ties between Japan and the Philippines in response to China's assertive actions in the South China Sea and East China Sea.