Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Tuesday that his country and the Philippines would start talks on two proposed defense pacts to further boost their security alliance and would continue to fight aggression in disputed Asian waters in an obvious rebuke of China.

The leaders of Japan and the Philippines agreed Tuesday on the start of discussions to pave the way for key security pacts, aiming t

United by a shared unease about China’s growing maritime assertiveness, Manila and Tokyo have pledged to build on the substantial advances of recent years.