Japan, Pacific islands to boost security ties as China's influence grows

TOKYO -- Japan and Pacific island nations agreed on Thursday to increase security, trade and climate cooperation following a three-day summit in which Tokyo sought to deepen ties with its island neighbors as China makes further diplomatic headway in the vast region.

The 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, or PALM10, was attended by the 18 members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.