Philippines, Japan: Defense Deal Expected February 26, 2016 | 07:44 GMT Japan and the Philippines are expected to sign an agreement that would soon allow Tokyo to supply Manila with war-fighting equipment, UPI reported Feb. 26, citing Yonhap and NHK. The deal, which could transfer of defense equipment and technology to the Philippines, could be finalized as early as next week. The two governments have been holding working-level talks on the matter since a broad agreement was reached at summit talks in November of last year. It would be the first agreement of its kind between Japan and a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Though ASEAN itself may never serve as a vehicle for countering Chinese assertiveness, China's regional posture is spurring member states to strengthen military ties with each other and with outside powers, namely the United States and Japan. Manila is reportedly seeking, in particular, greater surveillance and patrol capabilities in disputed waters of the South China Sea where China's presence has been growing. The Philippine military announced last June that it would hold joint naval drills with Japan, and Tokyo has steadily been wading deeper into the maritime dispute.