(Press Release: Provisional Translation)
May 1, 2025
Ministry of Defense
1. Visit to the OPCW
On April 28, Parliamentary Vice Minister Kobayashi visited the Centre for Chemistry and Technology, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), where he was briefed by Dr Daniel Noort, Head of Laboratory at the OPCW in the Hague, Netherlands. He also met with Director-General Arias and discussed further cooperation between the OPCW and MOD.
2. Meeting with Director General Davidse, Netherlands Ministry of Defence
On the same day, PVM Kobayashi met with Mr Davidse, Director General for Policy at Netherlands Ministry of Defence. Both sides discussed regional affairs as well as bilateral defense cooperation and exhanges. They concurred to continue close cooperation at various levels, founded on 425 years of Japan-Netherlands bilateral relations.
3. Visit to HCSS
On the same day, PVM Kobayashi visited the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) where he was briefed on the overview of the centre, and had discussions on regional situation of Europe and Indo-Pacific. HCSS is a thinktank conducting research on geopolitical, defense and security issues.
4. Meeting with Ms. Gerhardsen, State Secretary to Minister of Defence
On April 29, 2025, PVM Kobayashi held a meeting with Ms. Gerhardsen, Norwegian State Secretary to Minister of Defence. PVM Kobayashi welcomed the first visit of the Norwegian naval frigate to Japan, which is scheduled this summer. Both sides exchanged views on regional affairs and various defense cooperation and exchanges. They concurred to continue close cooperation.
5. Meeting with Ms Jære, General Director of the Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA)
On the same day, PVM Kobayashi exchanged views with Ms Jære, General Director of NDMA. Both sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding cooperation in the field of defense material last year and concurred to promote various defense equipment and technology cooperation including the JSM stand-off missile.
Summary of Parliamentary Vice Minister Kobayashi’s visit to the Netherlands and Norway (PDF)