(attachment 4) Japan- Singapore Defense Ministerial Meeting (Summary)

October 19, 2018
Ministry of Defense

On October 19th, 2018, from 5:00 pm (local time) for about 20 minutes, Defense Minister Iwaya, who was visiting Singapore to attend the 5th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), held a meeting with Minister for Defence of Singapore Ng Eng Hen who was a chair of the ADMM-Plus. The summary of the meeting is as follows:

1. Japan-Singapore Defense Cooperation and Exchanges

In the opening, Minister Iwaya expressed his respect to Minister Ng for the role he played as a chair of ADMM-Plus this year.

In addition, Minister Iwaya expressed his appreciation to Singapore for its support given to the MSDF destroyer Kaga's port call to Changi. Minister Iwaya also stated his willingness to further promote defense cooperation between the two countries through making port calls, which Minister Ng welcomed in response.

2. Regional Situations

With regard to the North Korea issue, Minister Iwaya stated that it is necessary to continue to implement UN Security Council resolutions and not to ease the sanctions unless North Korea takes concrete actions towards its renunciation of nuclear weapons and missiles. In response, Minister Ng answered that he understood the position of Japan and shared his recognition.

3. Japan-ASEAN Defense Cooperation

With regard to the Japan-ASEAN defense cooperation, Minister Iwaya expressed his willingness to promote practical defense cooperation based on the Vientiane Vision, Japan's Defense Cooperation Initiative with ASEAN. Minister Ng welcomed that, and stated Singapore would continue such cooperation.