(Press release)
November 21, 2024
Ministry of Defense
On November 21, Defense Minister Nakatani Gen, who is visiting Lao People’s Democratic Republic for attending the ADMM-Plus, held a meeting with Australian Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy, Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, and United States (U.S.) Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. It is the first-ever defense ministers’ meeting between these five countries in history.
The Ministers and the Secretaries discussed reginal issues of common interest and opportunities to expand cooperation, and issued a joint readout accordingly.
The collaboration with the ally and like-minded countries including Japan-Australia-U.S., Japan-Australia-Philippines-U.S., Japan-U.S.-Philippines and Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation, is indispensable for the regional peace and stability under the increasingly severe security environment. Japan Ministry of Defense will continue to optimize various opportunities to further strengthen the cooperation.
Japan-Australia-Philippines-Republic of Korea-United States Defense Ministers’ Meeting (PDF)