Philippine President Benigno Aquino III was on his sixth visit to Japan in the past five years Wednesday, showing growing ties within the two countries. Both parties are getting increasingly concerned with the assertive stance China has shown in relation to the South China Sea dispute.

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In the Tokyo speech, Aquino called for China's reconsideration in its efforts of claiming the regional seas, according to Philippine local media GMA News Online.

Aquino added that China should think twice of building more artificial islands in the disputed waters in order to regain stability between countries in the region.

Aquino accused China of making "unlawful territorial claim," while also giving praise to Tokyo for its continued unity with the Philippines during times of struggle.

Japan has given Aquino rare state guest status during his four-day visit, according to the Associated Press.

On Wednesday, he was invited to speak to the upper house of parliament. During the rest of his visit, he will also be talking with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with regard to defense and security ties.

Both will reportedly be signing a deal to confirm sanction Japan providing the Philippine coast guard 10 patrol vessels to reinforce the country's patrolling capability around the islands in the South China Sea.

Spokesman Kenko Sone at Japan's Prime Minister's Office said that the Philippines has high value to Japan because both Japan and Philippines are U.S. allies and both are concerned with China's military activities in the disputed regions.

On Monday, Foreign Ministry officials said Abe and Aquino were set to expand collaboration in other areas with interest to defense such as transferring Japanese military equipment and technology to the Philippines. Last year, Tokyo has alleviated its ban on military exports.

Japan has also reportedly expanded its cooperation with several countries to accompany its alliance with the west.

In the last two years, China has claimed sovereignty to most of the South China Sea, however countries in the region are accusing the country of expanding its territory.

The disputed waters are believed to contain oil and gas reserves, apart from being a major global shipping route.

Other countries with claims over islets and reefs in the area include Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and Brunei, reported the AFP.

China asserts ownership of the region using the "nine-dash line," while the Philippines, Japan and the U.S. bases claims on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

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