Defense Minister's Participation in the 4th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus, the 3rd ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting, and Bilateral and Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meetings
October 24th, 2017
Ministry of Defense
(Provisional Translation)
From October 22nd to 25th, Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera attended the 4th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (hereinafter "ADMM-Plus") and the 3rd ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting, and held meetings with the defense ministers of countries represented at the ADMM-Plus. Brief summary of the meetings is as below.
1. The 4th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus
- (1) On October 24th, the 4th ADMM-Plus was held with the Minister-level participants from the ten ASEAN Member States and eight Plus-countries. At the meeting, the outcomes of the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials' Meeting-Plus (ADSOM-Plus) held in April and the decisions made at the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) held on 23rd were reported, and the Minister-level participants exchanged their views on security issues in the region.
- (2) In his speech, Minister Onodera stated that the nuclear tests and repeated missile launches conducted by North Korea were direct challenges to the international community and pose an unprecedented, grave and imminent threat. Furthermore, Minister Onodera underscored that in order to urge policy shift in North Korea to renounce all nuclear and ballistic missile programs, the international community needs to stand in solidarity and give maximum pressure to North Korea.
- (3) Regarding maritime issues, Minister Onodera pointed out that attempts to change the status-quo unilaterally by coercion based on its own unique claim have become a concern on the prosperity in the region, and on top of that, Minister Onodera underlined that Japan is taking actions which contributes to free and open seas, which includes joint training with the U.S. Navy and navies of partner countries in the South China Sea.
- (4) In addition, Minister Onodera stated that natural disasters, which occur frequently in the region, is a serious risk to the stability in the region, and urged that it is important that the whole international community work together. Also, Minister Onodera emphasized that Japan has been working on the promotion of regional cooperation regarding humanitarian assistance and disaster relief under the framework of ADMM-Plus and that Japan is going to take even more active role.
- (5) Other participants touched upon topics such as achievements and future directions under the framework of ADMM-Plus, the situation of the Korean Peninsula, peaceful maritime conflict solving including South China Sea issues and averting collision at sea, and the necessity of cooperation for counter-terrorism.
[Reference 1] Participants except Japan
(1) ASEAN Member States and Others
- Brunei Darussalam: Haji Mohammad YASMIN bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy
- Cambodia: Samdech Pichey Sena TEA BANH, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense
- Indonesia: RYAMIZARD Ryacudu, Minister of Defense
- Lao PDR: Chansamone CHANYALATH, Minister of National Defense
- Malaysia: HISHAMMUDDIN Tun Hussein, Defense Minister
- Myanmar: SEIN WIN, Minister for Defense
- Philippines: Miguel Delfin N. LORENZANA, Secretary of National Defense
- Singapore: NG Eng Hen, Minister for Defence
- Thailand: PRAWIT Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence
- Viet Nam: NGO XUAN LICH, Minister of National Defence
- ASEAN Secretariat: Le Luong MINH, Secretary General
(2) Plus Countries
- Australia: Marise PAYNE, Minister for Defence
- China: CHANG Wanquan, Minister of National Defense
- India: Nirmala SITHARAMAN, Minister of Defence
- New Zealand: Tony LYNCH, Deputy Secretary of Defence
- Republic of Korea: SONG Young-moo, Minister of National Defense
- Russia: Sergei Kuzhugetovich SHOIGU, Minister of Defence
- United States: James MATTIS, Secretary of Defense
[Reference 2] Current Chair Countries of Experts' Working Groups (EWG)
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief: Malaysia and United States
- Maritime Security: Singapore and Republic of Korea
- Military Medicine: Myanmar and India
- Counter-Terrorism: Thailand and China
- Peacekeeping Operations: Indonesia and Australia
- Humanitarian Mine Action: Lao PDR and Russia
- Cyber Security: Philippines and New Zealand
2. The 3rd ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting
- (1) The 3rd ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting was held on 23rd October.
- (2) At the beginning of the meeting, Defense Minister Onodera was introduced by Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines, H.E. Delfin Lorenzana. The Secretary stated that at this meeting, the current status and the future development of the "Vientiane Vision," which is the guiding principle of Japan-ASEAN defense cooperation announced by Japan last year, will be discussed while touching upon the long history of over forty years of cooperation between ASEAN and Japan.
- (3) Defense Minister Onodera looked back on the 1st ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting in Myanmar in 2014, the 2nd meeting in Lao PDR last year, the announcement of the "Vientiane Vision" and others, and confirmed the importance of the meeting which provides momentum to strengthen Japan-ASEAN defense cooperation.
- (4) Japan and ASEAN shared the recognition that Japan-ASEAN defense cooperation has become even more important in ensuring regional peace and stability, as the regional security challenges have become diverse and complex, including the current situation in North Korea and the maritime situation in the East and South China Seas.
- (5) Defense Minister Onodera stated that concrete and practical cooperation has developed based on the "Vientiane Vision" and that he would like to continue to deepen the cooperation in accordance with the vision. ASEAN welcomed and supported the "Vientiane Vision" as well as welcomed the reappointment of Defense Minister Onodera as the Defense Minister. Also, Japan and ASEAN agreed to further promote Japan-ASEAN defense cooperation.
3. Bilateral and Trilateral Meetings
Defense Minister Onodera held a trilateral meeting with Ministers of the U.S. and Republic of Korea, and bilateral meetings with the U.S., Australia, Republic of Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam (the meetings were held in the order as the summaries appear below).
(1) Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting (with U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis) (October 23rd PM)
In this meeting, the Ministers shared information on the situation of nuclear and missile development by North Korea, agreed to ensure the best defense posture. They confirmed on promoting closer cooperation on operational side and cooperating on introduction of new BMD assets. Secretary Mattis renewed strong determination on defense of Japan including commitment for extended deterrence. Also, they confirmed that they will closely coordinate on future measures, continue to exert pressure on North Korea in a tangible way and advance close trilateral cooperation among Japan, the United States, and Republic of Korea. In addition, the Ministers agreed that they will continuously keep paying attention to the situation of the East China Sea and cooperate for its peace and stability, and promote defense cooperation with South-East Asian countries in light of the situation of the South China Sea.
See attachment 1 for its summary.
