TOKYO – The West Philippine Sea issue will be up for discussion as President Aquino embarks on a visit here starting today to attend the 40th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) commemorative summit and meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez said Japan was committed to assisting the ASEAN community especially in economic integration in 2015 and would discuss “probably also other matters like the South China Sea.”

On Monday, Aquino said a treaty to improve defense cooperation with Japan amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea would likely be tackled with Abe.

Read more: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/12/12/1267090/west-phl-sea-issue-japan-meet