August 30, 2022
Japan Ministry of Defense
On August 30, 2022, commencing from 14:15 for approximately 1 hour, Minister Hamada held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Benjamin Gantz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the State of Israel. After the meeting, the Ministers signed the recently revised “Memorandum on Defense Exchanges between the Ministry of Defense of Japan and the Ministry of Defense of the State of Israel.”
1 At the outset of the meeting, the Ministers welcomed the signing of the Memorandum in the year commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Israel; the Ministers confirmed to take this opportunity to further promote Japan-Israel defense cooperation. In addition, Minister Hamada introduced Japan’s efforts to uphold and reinforce a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and stated that this vision will contribute to the development of the Middle East.
2 The Ministers exchanged views on regional situations. Minister Hamada, mentioning the Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, expressed his strong opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or any action that would increase tensions. Minister Gantz explained the regional situation of the Middle East, and so forth. The Ministers confirmed that they will continue to closely work together for regional peace and stability.
3 The Ministers also exchanged views on bilateral defense cooperation, and affirmed that the two countries will continue to maintain close communication between the defense authorities, and will continue to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation, including defense equipment and technology cooperation and service-to-service cooperation.
Japan-Israel Defense Ministers’ Meeting（PDF）
