（Press Release）
November 21, 2024
Japan Ministry of Defense
On November 21, 2024, for about 60 minutes from 1620 (local time), Minister of Defense Nakatani, visiting Laos to attend ADMM+, held a meeting with Chinese Minister of Defense Dong Jun.
- Minister Nakatani referred to a broad direction of the Japan-China relationship, which had been reaffirmed at the Japan-China Summit Meeting, and expressed Japan's serious concerns about the increasing military activities on the Chinese side in various ways. In this situation, he pointed out that it was extremely important to continue candid discussions and communication between the defense authorities of Japan and China.
- Regarding the regional situation, Minister Nakatani reiterated a strong protest against the intrusion into Japan's airspace by a Chinese military aircraft in August this year, and strongly requested to take preventive measures based on the explanation from the Chinese side on the case. Moreover, he conveyed his serious concerns about the situation in the East China Sea, including Senkaku Islands, navigation of Chinese vessels including carrier vessel in the contiguous water of Japan, and the increasing military activities by the Chinese side in the sea and airspace surrounding Japan, including its partnership with the Russian Federation.
- Furthermore, Minister Nakatani reiterated his serious concerns about the situation in the South China Sea, and also emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. In addition, Minister Nakatani strongly condemned North Korea's repeated ballistic missile launches and expressed his concern about the military cooperation between Russia and DPRK.
- On that basis, the two ministers reaffirmed that the Hotline Between Japan and China Defense Authorities will be operated appropriately and reliably. Both Minister also share the importance of dialogue and exchanges between defense authorities including unit to unit exchange which has suspended since 2019.
Japan-China Defense Ministerial Meeting(PDF)