Japan, Philippines boost navies amid islands dispute

Tokyo and Manila revealed Tuesday their latest naval additions amid heightening frictions with China over disputed islands and waters in the East China and South China seas, South China Morning Post reported. Japan’s newest warship is the biggest since WWII, and the Philippines acquired a refurbished US cutter. Both warships will reportedly be used in the defense of territory. This comes amid recent calls from the US for China to sign a South China seas agreement governing maritime disputes in the resource-rich waters. Chinese foreign-policy thinker Ruan Zongze warned Manila and Tokyo that they had been mistakenly emboldened by Washington.