(Press Release)
June 2, 2021
Japan Ministry of Defense
Japan-Philippines Defense Ministers’ Video Teleconference
On June 2, 2021, Minister KISHI held a video teleconference with Secretary of National Defense of the Republic of the Philippines, Hon. Mr. Delfin N. Lorenzana. This is the second time Minister Kishi and Secretary Lorenzana have held a video teleconference since last October.
1 Minister Kishi and Secretary Lorenzana exchanged views on the regional security issues, including the East China Sea and the South China Sea in light of the current events occurring in the region. The two ministers reconfirmed the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, and reaffirmed the critical need for observing international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and importance to uphold and reinforce the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”. They shared their intent to reinforce within the international community their steadfast opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo. From these perspectives, the two ministers expressed serious concerns over the China’s Coast Guard Law.
They condemned the launches of ballistic missiles by North Korea, which violates UNSC resolutions, and shared the view that North Korea’s repeated launches of ballistic missiles pose a serious challenge to the international community as a whole.
Regarding the situation in Myanmar, Minister Kishi welcomed the outcome of ASEAN Leader’s Meeting and they affirmed their intent to continue to cooperate closely on this matter.
2 They also exchanged views on bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges. They shared the view and welcomed that the transfer process of radar systems of which contract was signed last August is steadily proceeding. Minister Kishi stated and welcomed that the both countries could share lessons learned in the context of preventing the spread of infectious diseases through “Japan-ASEAN invitation program”, which was held last month as a series of defense cooperation of counter measures against infectious diseases. On that basis, they also shared the views that Japan and the Philippines will promote further defense cooperation and exchanges, including holding a Military-to-Military Dialogue at an early date and continuing Capacity Building Project.
3 In this context, Minister Kishi and Secretary Lorenzana also concurred in proactively promoting defense cooperation and exchanges to uphold and reinforce the Free and Open Indo-Pacific, while maintaining close communication between respective defense authorities.
