(Press Release: Provisional Translation)
June 1, 2025
Ministry of Defense Japan
On June 1, 2025, Minister of Defense Nakatani, visiting Singapore to attend the 22nd IISS Asian Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue), held a meeting with Minister of Defence of New Zealand, the Hon. Judith Collins.
- 1. In the outset, Minister Nakatani expressed his deep gratitude for the support that the New Zealand Defence Force gave for transport of Japanese Nationals after the earthquake that struck the Republic of Vanuatu last December.
- The two ministers welcomed the steady strengthening of bilateral cooperation and collaboration such as the implementation of regular high-level-exchanges including ministerial meetings, the first bilateral training conducted last year, and the collaboration with Pacific Islands Countries. Furthermore, Minister Nakatani stated the importance of improvement in interoperability by continuing mutual dispatches of assets and the bilateral trainings taking place in those opportunities.
- The two ministers concurred on closely working together to further deepen bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
Japan-New Zealand Defense Ministerial Meeting.pdf