Japan- Singapore Defense Ministerial Meeting

(Press Release)

June 1, 2026
Ministry of Defense

In Japanese

On May 31, 2026, Defense Minister Koizumi, visiting Singapore to attend the 23rd IISS Asia Pacific Security Conference (Shangri-La Dialogue,) held a meeting with Singapore’s Minister for Defence, Chan Chun Sing. The summary of the meeting is as follows:

 

  1. At the outset of the meeting, Minister Koizumi expressed his respect for Singapore’s continued contributions to regional peace and stability as the host of the Shangri-La Dialogue, as well as for its efforts as ASEAN’s Country Coordinator for Japan. He also stated his intention to further strengthen bilateral defense relations under the “Strategic Partnership,” which was elevated at the summit meeting held in March this year. In response, Minister Chan highlighted that Japan is a reliable partner and expressed his intention to continue close coordination.
  2. The two Ministers welcomed the active people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, including high-level visits as well as unit-to-unit engagements such as port calls and attendance of courses, and concurred on continuing such exchanges on a regular basis. They also concurred on promoting bilateral defense equipment and technology cooperation in line with the Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology and Japan’s domestic laws, regulations and policies.
  3. The two Ministers also confirmed that both sides would work through working groups of the JMOD-MINDEF Policy Talks to exchange views on areas of cooperation and hold consultations between the Ministers on a regular basis to further advance defense cooperation.
  4. The two Ministers concurred that, in light of the increasingly challenging regional security environment, both sides would hold consultations, when necessary, to ensure the security of both countries and the peace and stability of the region.
  5. The two Ministers further confirmed that they would strengthen defense cooperation between Japan and ASEAN in order to contribute more effectively to regional peace and stability.

(end)

Japan- Singapore Defense Ministerial Meeting (PDF)