Japan has announced on Tuesday that it would give over five surveillance aircraft and two patrol boats in the Philippines.
The announcement was made after the meeting of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Philippine's President Rodrigo Duterte at Vientiane, Laos on the sidelines of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
According to the Japanese government spokesperson, "Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to provide two large-sized patrol ships and lend up to five used surveillance aircraft to the Philippines."
Abe assured the Philippine President of Japan's support in case the South China Sea dispute is discussed during the 29th ASEAN Summit.
"If that issue is going to be raised here, expect us to be the first one to stand up to support you," said Abe.
China has been asking Japan to stop meddling in the South China Sea row. Beijing has also accused Tokyo of hyping China's territorial disputes with the Philippines and other Asian countries over territories in the South China Sea.
In July, the-Hague based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled favoring the Philippines' claims in a long-standing territorial dispute over the South China Sea. China continues to dismiss the ruling despite international pressure for Beijing to accept the dominion of the court.
