(Press Release)
Japan-Philippines Defense Ministers’ Meeting
April 7, 2022
Japan Ministry of Defense
On April 7, 2022, commencing from 17:05 for approximately 90 minutes, Minister KISHI held a meeting with Secretary of National Defense of the Republic of the Philippines, Hon. Mr. Delfin N. Lorenzana. This is the third time Minister Kishi and Secretary Lorenzana have held meetings, including the two video teleconferences.
1 Security Environment and Regional Security Issues
The Ministers exchanged views on the regional security issues, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the East China Sea and the South China Sea. Minister Kishi stated that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is totally unacceptable as the invasion has shaken the foundation of the international order including Asia. 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 that they will not tolerate any unilateral change of the status quo by force in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in East Asia and Southeast Asia.
The Ministers strongly condemned the launches of ballistic missiles by North Korea, which violates UNSC resolutions, and shared the view that North Korea’s launches of ballistic missiles jeopardize peace and security of the international community as a whole.
Regarding the situation in Myanmar, Minister Kishi stated that Japan will fully support the initiatives of ASEAN, and the Ministers concurred on further enhancing coordination in order to turn the deadlock of the situation in Myanmar.
2 Bilateral Cooperation
The Ministers also exchanged views on bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges. They welcomed the deepening of bilateral cooperation in security and shared the view that Japan and the Philippines will further promote coordination including bilateral and multilateral exercises and others.
The Ministers also shared the recognition that the transfer process of radar systems signed in 2020 is steadily proceeding, and concurred to further promote defense equipment and technology cooperation.
Minister Kishi welcomed the progress that has made in capacity building projects in the fields of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, aviation medicine, and vessel maintenance. The Ministers concurred on further promoting bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges.
Also, Minister Kishi explained the ongoing effort of drafting Japan’s new National Security Strategy and relevant documents.
3 Multilateral Cooperation
The Ministers confirmed that ASEAN’s “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)” and Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” share fundamental principles. They shared the view that Japan and the Philippines will contribute more proactively to the peace and stability of the region, while closely communicating with each other in the frameworks of ASEAN, including through cooperation in ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus Experts’ Working Groups.