(Press Release: Provisional Translation)
January 22, 2026
Ministry of Defense
1. Davos Conference
From January 20 to 21, Defense Minister Koizumi joined the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, also known as Davos Conferece, held in Davos, Switzerland, for the first time as Defense Minister of Japan. At the Country Strategy Dialogue on Japan on January 20, he explained Japan’s security and defense policies to the participants from various countries.
2. Meeting with Ministers etc. (Jan 20-21)
(1) Meeting with Minister of Defence, Federal Councilor Martin Pfister of Switzerland.
Both Ministers discussed regional affairs, and confirmed that the security of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is inseparable. As Japan and Switzerland share common values such as rules-based international order, both Ministers concurred that they would continue cooperation.
(2) Meeting with Minisfer of Defence of the Netherlands, Mr. Ruben Brekelmans
Defense Minister Koizumi welcomed the Netherlands’ strengthening of its engagement to the Indo-Pacific in a tangible manner, and discussed bilateral defense cooperation. Both Ministers welcomed the signing of ACSA the other day, and concurred to further advance bilateral defense cooperation.
(3) Meeting with Secretary General of NATO, Mr Mark Rutte
Defense Minister Koizumi and Secretary General Rutte discussed regional affairs and Japan-NATO cooperation. Both sides confirmed that the security of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is inseparable and concurred to further advance defense cooperation under the recognition that Japan-NATO cooperation is strategically important.
