(Press Release: Provisional Translation)
December 19, 2025
Ministry of Defense Japan
On December 19, commencing at 11:00 for approximately 30 minutes, Minister of Defense Koizumi received a courtesy call from Thai Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow in Tokyo. The summary is as follows:
- At the outset, Minister Koizumi expressed his heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives due to the heavy rains and floods that occurred in Thailand in November, and extended his sympathies to the bereaved families and those affected by the disaster.
He also welcomed the recent increase in defense exchanges between the two countries, including the acceptance of Thai students at the National Defense Academy, under the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” to which it was elevated in 2022. - The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional security issues. Defense Minister Koizumi briefed the radar incident on December 6 in which a Chinese military aircraft illuminated a Japan Self-Defense Force aircraft with radar and the Chinese-Russian bombers’ joint flight from the East China Sea to the Pacific that occurred on December 9 and conveyed his grave concerns over these incidents. Minister Sihasak stated that as the security environment is increasingly severe, realizing a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific is a shared interest for both Japan and Thailand.
- Building on the above, the two Ministers affirmed their commitment to further strengthen defense cooperation and exchanges between the two countries, including highlevel dialogues and defense equipment and technology cooperation, for the peace, stability, and prosperity of the entire region, including Japan and Thailand.
Courtesy Call on Minister of Defense Koizumi by Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak (PDF)