Japan to step up help for Vietnamese maritime security

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan has announced it will give Vietnam used boats and other equipment worth 200 million yen ($1.7 million) to improve its maritime security capabilities as China asserts its territorial claims in regional seas.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced the grant Tuesday after holding talks with Vietnamese Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong in Tokyo.

The two leaders said they share serious concerns over attempts by China to change the status quo in the South China Sea by asserting its territorial claims.

The number of boats wasn't announced. Japan earlier pledged to provide six used ships to Vietnam for law enforcement operations.

Tokyo, which also has territorial disputes with China, has stepped up security cooperation with several Southeast Asian nations.