Defense Minister Nakatani’s Participation in the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Defense and Bilateral Meetings with Foreign Defense Ministers (Overview)

(Press Release:Provisional Translation)

October 20, 2024
Japan Ministry of Defense

In Japanese

On October 19, 2024, Defense Minister Nakatani visited Napoli, Italy and participated in the first G7 Ministerial Meeting on Defense. The summary is as follows.

1. The G7 Ministerial Meeting on Defense

Defense Minister Nakatani participated in the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Defense. The Defense Secretaries and other representatives of the G7 countries, NATO, and the EU attended the meeting and engaged in wide-ranging discussions on regional affairs and defense capability foundation, and a joint declaration was issued after the meeting. In addition, Defense Minister Nakatani held talks with the Secretaries of Defense and others who attended the meeting.

The summary of each session of the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Defense is as follows.

Session 1: Middle East

The G7 members expressed concern about the escalation in the Middle East and concurred to support the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, a significant and sustained increase in the flow of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza and a sustainable pathway to a two-state solution. They also expressed concern at the intensification of military cooperation between Iran and Russia, and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation. Defense Minister Nakatani stated that it is important for its ally and like-minded countries to work together to implement initiatives to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East, and expressed his intention for Japan’s defense authorities to be deeply committed to the stability and prosperity of the Middle East, in cooperation with its ally and like-minded countries.

Session 2: Africa

The G7 members expressed concern about several state and non-state actors pursuing strategies that create instability in Africa, including disinformation, and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the stability and security of African countries.

Defense Minister Nakatani pointed out the importance of initiatives to support Africa’s self-endeavor, and stated the importance of the collaboration with its ally and like-minded countries including G7, and others, in PKO and other activities.

Session 3: Indo-Pacific

The G7 members expressed serious concern about the situation in the East and South China Seas, reiterated strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, and reaffirmed that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is indispensable to international security and prosperity. They also expressed concern about the military cooperation between China and Russia, and condemned the continued development of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and expressed concern about the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. They also reaffirmed the G7's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law and expressed their commitment to coordinating their respective security and defense presences in the region. Defense Minister Nakatani explained the security situation in the Indo-Pacific, and emphasized that security in Europe, the Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific is indivisible, stating that it is necessary to further enhance our ability to deter and counter threats and to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law by strengthening our collaboration with its ally like-minded countries and others, including through minilateral cooperation and capacity building.

Session 4: Ukraine

The G7 members concurred that the Russia's aggression against Ukraine is a blatant breach of international law, including the UN Charter, and is posing a threat to the rules-based international order. They also reaffirmed to support the freedom, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Defense Minister Nakatani stated that the Japan Ministry of Defense/Japan Self-Defense Forces had been providing defense equipment to Ukraine under a strong sense of crisis that "Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow," and that they had decided to provide additional vehicles, and expressed their determination to continue to provide as much support as possible to Ukraine in cooperation with the international community.

Session 5: Defense readiness

The G7 members affirmed the need to strengthen the defense industry and encourage industrial cooperation with partners, in order to address security challenges, and recognized the importance to continuing discussing and sharing each G7 member’s efforts to strengthen defense readiness. Defense Minister Nakatani pointed out that, amid the increasingly severe security environment, foundations such as the research and development and production of defense equipment, human resources, and securing the necessary defense budget are essential for defense authorities to maximize their potential, protect national peace, and contribute effectively to regional peace and stability, and stated that we would like to continue to promote cooperation, such as sharing best practices to strengthen defense production and technology base among its ally and like-minded countries including G7, and others. 

20241019_g7-j_a_01.jpgG7 Ministerial Meeting on Defense

20241019_g7-j_a_02.jpgG7 Ministerial Meeting on Defense

[LINK] Joint Declaration (PDF)

2. Bilateral Defense Ministerial Meetings

(1) Japan-Italy Defense Ministerial Meeting

On October 18, 2024, Defense Minister Nakatani and The Hon. Guido Crosetto, Minister of Defense, held a meeting.

20241018_ita-j.jpg Japan-Italy Defense Ministerial Meeting

[Link] Japan-Italy Defense Ministerial Meeting

(2) Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting

On October 19, 2024, Defense Minister Nakatani and Defense Secretary Austin held a meeting.

20241019_usa-j_01.jpgJapan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting

[Link] Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting (Summary)

(3) Japan-Germany Defense Ministerial Meeting

On October 19, 2024, Defense Minister Nakatani and Federal Minister of Defense Pistorius held a meeting.

20241019_deu-j_01.jpgJapan-Germany Defense Ministerial Meeting

[Link] Japan-Germany Defense Ministerial Meeting

Defense Minister Nakatani’s Participation in the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Defense and Bilateral Meetings with Foreign Defense Ministers (Overview) (PDF)