(Press Release)
November 23, 2021
Ministry of Defense Japan
Japan-Vietnam Defense Ministers’ Meeting
On November 23, 2021, commencing from 1500 for approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, Minister KISHI held a meeting with General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defence of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, at the Ministry of Defense Japan.
Following the meeting, a signing ceremony was held for the “Memorandum between the Ministry of Defense of Japan and the Ministry of National Defence of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on Cybersecurity Cooperation” and the “Memorandum between the Ministry of Defense of Japan and the Ministry of National Defence of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on Cooperation in the Field of Military Medicine” in the presence of Minister Kishi and Minister Giang.
1 Overview
At the outset, Minister Kishi welcomed Minister Giang to Japan. He stated that this occasion marked the third Japan-Vietnam Defense Ministers’ Meeting between the pair, including most recently in September 2021 in Vietnam, which clearly demonstrates the robust and close ties that exist between Japan and Vietnam. In response, Minister Giang expressed his appreciation to Japan for accommodating his visit.
Then, the Ministers each spoke about the significance of Japan-Vietnam defense cooperation, which was redefined at the last Japan-Vietnam Defense Ministers’ Meeting in September 2021, not just as cooperation for the benefit of Japan and Vietnam, but also for more proactively contributing to the peace and stability of the region and the international community. They reached a consensus to make specific efforts under this “Japan-Vietnam Defense Cooperation at the New Level.”
2 Regional Security
The Ministers exchanged views on the current regional security situation including the East China Sea and the South China Sea. The Ministers reconfirmed the importance of countries complying with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), while respecting freedom of navigation and overflight. They shared a strong opposition to – where incompatible with the existing international order – any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by coercion and confirmed the importance of Japan and Vietnam to continue to cooperate in upholding the existing international order based on the rule of law.
Regarding North Korea, Minister Kishi reiterated Japan’s condemnation of the launching of ballistic missiles by North Korea in violation of UNSC resolutions, and shared the view that such actions posed a serious challenge to the international community as a whole. Furthermore, he stated his commitment to coordinate towards the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of all of North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges.
Concerning the situation in Myanmar, Minister Kishi stated the importance of progressing the “Five-Point Consensus” into concrete results. The Ministers affirmed their intent to continue to cooperate closely on this matter.
3 Bilateral Defense Cooperation
The Ministers shared the view that under the “Japan-Vietnam Defense Cooperation at the New Level,” Japan and Vietnam will contribute more proactively to the peace and stability of the region and the international community, by making specific efforts utilizing their respective advantages and resources.
Based on the achievements at the Japan-Vietnam Defense Ministers’ Meeting in September 2021, the Ministers reconfirmed the promotion of further cooperation in the field of peacekeeping operations. In this context, Minister Giang requested that Japan share knowledge to assist Vietnamese preparation to participate in UNISFA. Minister Kishi expressed his strong appreciation to Vietnam for its proactive stance towards the peace and stability in the international community through its participation in peacekeeping operations. In response to Minister Giang’s request, Minister Kishi stated that Japan will provide necessary cooperation, including dispatching Japanese experts comprising mainly of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s personnel to Vietnam. Minister Giang expressed his appreciation, and the Ministers consented to proactively continue this collaboration as a model case of “Japan-Vietnam Defense Cooperation at the New Level.”
The Ministers welcomed the signing of the “Memorandum between the Ministry of Defense of Japan and the Ministry of National Defence of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on Cybersecurity Cooperation” and the “Memorandum between the Ministry of Defense of Japan and the Ministry of National Defence of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on Cooperation in the Field of Military Medicine.” They consented to promote discussion to embody cooperation based on these Memoranda.
The Ministers shared the view that they will continue to accelerate consultations for the transfer of specific equipment including naval vessels and related equipment in light of the Japan-Vietnam Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement signed in September 2021.
4 Multilateral Defense Cooperation and Exchanges
Minister Kishi reemphasized the view that the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)” and “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” share fundamental principles, and stated that Japan‑Vietnam defense cooperation reaching a “New Level” holds great importance for realizing AOIP and FOIP.
The Ministers shared the view that, in accordance with “Japan-Vietnam Defense Cooperation at the New Level,” Japan and Vietnam will continue to engage closely to organize the “Japan-ASEAN Cyber Security Training Program for Defense Authorities” announced by Minister Kishi at the 6th Japan-ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting, including future possibilities to host an event at the Army Software Park in Nha Trang, Vietnam.
5 Conclusion
Renewing their resolve to contribute more proactively to the peace and stability of the region and the international community, under the “Japan-Vietnam Defense Cooperation at the New Level,” the Ministers shared the view to further accelerate various collaborative efforts, including high‑level engagement and multilateral cooperation.