(Press Release, provisional translation)
March 16, 2023
Japan Ministry of Defense
Japan-Italy Defense Ministers Meeting
On March 16, 2023, commencing at 1615 for approximately 20 minutes, Minister HAMADA held a Defense Ministerial Meeting with Defense Minister of the Republic of Italy, H. E. Guido Crosetto.
- The Ministers welcomed convening an in-person Defense Ministerial Meeting for the first time and concurring to upgrade the Japan-Italy relationship to “Strategic Partnership” at the last Japan-Italy Summit Meeting, which was held in January.
- Minister Hamada expressed his strong resolve, under its new strategies including also explained the new National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy formulated last December, to fundamentally reinforce its defense capabilities, including counterstrike, at an early stage through a substantial increase of its defense budget. Minister Crosetto expressed his strong support for such efforts of Japan.
- The Ministers discussed defense cooperation and exchanges and welcomed cooperation on the joint development of next-generation fighter aircraft, exchanges between both aerial refueling squadron, flight training school, and steadily building up the counter-piracy joint exercise, as well as the Ministers agreed to promote further defense cooperation between Japan and Italy.
- The Ministers affirmed to continue to work closely together towards further deepening Japan-Italy bilateral relationship to uphold and reinforce a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”.