(Press Release: Provisional Translation)
June 2, 2024
Ministry of Defense Japan
On June 2, 2024, Minister of Defense Kihara, visiting Singapore to attend the 21th IISS Asian Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue), held a meeting with Minister of Defence of New Zealand, the Hon. Judith Collins.
- The two ministers concurred on further advancing Japan-New Zealand defense cooperation and exchanges in the Pacific Islands Region under the“Statement of Intent between the Minister of Defence of New Zealand and the Minister of Defense of Japan on Defence Cooperation in Maritime Security, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief and Climate Change in the Pacific Islands Region”, signed in June 2023.
- Minister Kihara welcomed New Zealand’s redeployment of its asset to conduct monitoring and surveillance activities against illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean vessels, and the two ministers exchanged their views on bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges including bilateral training.
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The two ministers concurred on closely working together to further deepen bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges.