Tokyo and Manila have discussed deploying Japanese forces in the Philippines as the countries near agreement on several security pacts aimed at boosting regional deterrence against China, according to one of the south-east Asian nation's senior diplomats.

Jose Manuel Romualdez, Philippine ambassador to the US, said Manila and Tokyo were close to signing a "reciprocal access agreement" (RAA) that would also let their militaries train and conduct exercises in each other's countries.