(Press Release)
December 14, 2023
Japan Ministry of Defense
On December 14, 2023, commencing at 09:10 for approximately 40 minutes, Defense Minister Kihara held a Defense Ministerial Meeting with The Hon. Guido Crosetto, Minister of Defence, Italian Republic.
The Ministers agreed to promote further various defense cooperation and exchanges between Japan and Italy including the joint development of next-generation fighter aircraft as the bilateral relationship had been upgraded to a strategic partnership in January.
Minister Kihara welcomed an even larger presence of Italy in the Indo-Pacific region by progressing Japan-Italy asset exchanges such as the port call of an Italian Navy’s frigate, the joint training with Italian Air Force F-35A and the exchange visit by KC-767.
The Ministers affirmed to work closely for further developing bilateral relationship to realize a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific."