The Philippines, whose purchase of a long-range air defence system has been postponed due to the COVID-19, is scheduled to sign a contract with Japan-based Mitsubishi Electric within the next month.

According to Japanese media reports, Tokyo is considering sharing its air defense radar information with the Philippines to track Chinese aircraft.

Japan sees the solution in the Philippines, stating that Chinese platforms can be tracked through the Miyako Strait but cannot access functional information in the Bashi Canal and the Pacific region.

With shared radar information, Tokyo plans to take early action on possible tensions by closely monitoring China's movements.