To boost its military capabilities and bridge key gaps with China, the Philippines is turning to top partners such as Japan for support ¡ª part of a multipronged approach that includes boosting defense spending, expanding joint security activities and stepping up defense-industrial tie-ups.

¡°We are looking into closer cooperation with Japan, as we see significant potential in this,¡± Philippine military spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told The Japan Times in a recent interview.

¡°We are particularly interested in Japan¡¯s expertise in areas such as radar and unmanned systems, as well as shipbuilding,¡± she added.