U.S., Japan push to bring in more allies

U.S., Japan push to expand multilateral security framework

TOKYO -- Japan and the U.S. are looking for more defense partners.
 
As early as Saturday, defense chiefs from the two countries will meet with their Australian and Philippine counterparts on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore, marking the first such four-way talks.
 
The meeting will likely address measures to deter China's maritime expansion as well as the risk of Beijing ramping up pressure on Taiwan. Any aggressive action against the island would put the Philippines as well as Japan on the front line of defense.