May 4, 2024
Ministry of Defense
Defense Minister Kihara visited Honolulu, the United States on May 2 to 4. The summary is as follows. Note that date and time in below is HST.
- Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting
On May 2, Defense Minister Kihara met with Defense Secretary Austin and affirmed strategic initiatives to strengthen Japan-U.S. Alliance capabilities to deter and respond, which were confirmed at Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting in April this year. The Ministers also affirmed that they will continue to strengthen cooperation with like-minded regional partners in order to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
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- Japan-U.S.-Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting
On May 2, Defense Minister Kihara held the 13th Defense Ministerial Meeting with Defense Secretary Austin, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles MP.
The three Ministers emphasized the alignment of their strategies and agreed to work closely together to further improve interoperability and deepen cooperation among the three countries.
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- Japan-U.S.-Australia-Philippines Defense Ministerial Meeting
On May 2, Minister of Defense Kihara held Japan-U.S.-Australia-Philippines Defense Ministerial Meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles MP, and the Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. This meeting was held for the second time, following its inaugural meeting last year.
At the meeting, the four Ministers discussed common regional issues and the expansion of the four countries' cooperation, expressed their stance of not tolerating unilateral changes of the status quo by force, and confirmed that they would strengthen cooperation for the realization of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific."
The Japan Ministry of Defense and Japan Self-Defense Force will continue to strengthen cooperation with the Allies and like-minded countries.
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- Japan-Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting
On May 2, Defense Minister Kihara held a Ministerial Meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles MP.
The two Ministers confirmed the alignment of security situational awareness and strategic direction, and held discussions to further enhance the effectiveness of defense cooperation.
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- National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Defense Minister Kihara visited the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and laid a wreath at the Memorial on May 3. Over 40,000 of the war dead and their family rest in this cemetery.
- Japan-Philippines Defense Ministerial Meeting
On Friday, May 3, 2024, Minister of Defense Kihara met with the Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. and welcomed the delivery of a mobile air surveillance radar to Philippines, and confirmed that they will further deepen bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges, which have become more and more active. Both ministers confirmed that they will continue to strengthen cooperation with like-minded regional partners in order to maintain and strengthen a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific”.
- Visit the 100th Infantry Battalion Clubhouse
Defense Minister Kihara visited the Clubhouse of 100th Infantry Battalion, which was organized by Japanese Americans in Hawaii during WW2, and had a conversation with relevant people on May 3. The participants expressed their gratitude for the visit by the Defense Minister and then described their activities to pass the history of the100th Infantry Battalion, etc. to future generations.