(Press Release, provisional translation)
18th Mar. 2023
Ministry of Defense
Japan-Germany Defense Ministerial Meeting
On 18th March 2023, Minister of Defense Hamada and Federal Minister of Defence Pistorius conducted Japan-Germany Defense Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo.
- In the opening Minister Hamada welcomed the visit of Minister Pistorius as the first Federal Minister of Defence who visited Japan for the first time in 16 years. Minister Hamada also highly appraised Germany’s strong will to actively contribute to the peace and stability of Indo-Pacific region, which was exemplified by the deployment to the Indo-Pacific of the German Navy Frigate “Bayern” in 2021, and German Air Force Eurofighter in 2022.
- Minister Hamada also expressed his hope to work with Minister Pistorius to further advance Japan-Germany defense cooperation and exchanges in support of our joint commitment to an open and Free Indo-Pacific Region. In response, Minister Pistorius stated that Germany will continue its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, and wishes to further reinforce Japan-Germany defense cooperation and exchanges.
- Additionally, Minister Hamada briefed Minister Pistorius regarding Japan’s new National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy established in late 2022, and Japan’s goal of acquiring the necessary defense budget, as well as fundamentally strengthening Japan’s defense capabilities including the acquisition of counters strike capabilities. In response, Minster Pistorius briefed Minister Hamada about the implications of German Zeitenwende for the German Armed Forces.
- The two ministers also discussed bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges, and concurred to coordinate closely to realize future deployments of the Bundeswehr to the Indo-Pacific region, as well as joint exercises and exchanges on that occasion. They also concurred to seek a legal framework facilitating joint activities of the Self Defense Forces and the Bundeswehr, as well as to further deepen cooperation in the defense equipment/technology field.