Japan backs close security ties with India, South Korea in Indo-Pacific

FILE PHOTO: Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani delivers a statement in front of the Japanese-built air surveillance radar, at the Naval Station Ernesto Ogbinar, previously known as Wallace Air Station, in San Fernando City, La Union province, Philippines, February 23, 2025. - Photo: Reuters

NEW DELHI: Japan has said that it backed close security cooperation with South Korea and India in the Indo-Pacific, days after the Philippines' military chief said a US-backed security group wanted both nations to join to counter China in the region.

Japan's Ministry of Defence said in a statement to Reuters on Monday (March 24) that it supported building a multi-layered network of alliances in general, and but declined to say whether it has given its consent or made any specific considerations on the expansion of the Squad group.