Japan-Germany Defense Ministers’ Forum
“Indo-Pacific: Japan and Germany's Engagement in the Region”

On December 15, 2020, Minister Kishi, together with German Federal Minister of Defence, Kramp-Karrenbauer, attended an hour-long virtual forum “Indo-Pacific: Japan and Germany's Engagement in the Region” organized by National Institute for Defense Studies and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. This forum follows the other defense ministers’ forum held last month between Germany and other partner nations in the Indo-Pacific, namely, Australia and Singapore. Both Ministers delivered keynote speeches and exchanged views on regional security environment as well as the bilateral defense cooperation.

1. Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer briefly explained the commitment of German Ministry of Defence based on the “Policy guidelines for the Indo-Pacific region” released by Germany. Japan and Germany have discussed the importance of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific on various occasions such as ministerial talks, and the Guidelines released this time is aimed at promoting cooperation with like-minded countries that share goal of realizing freedom of navigation, the rule of law and connectivity as well as with Japan, which has been promoting a vision of Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Minister Kishi welcomed and highly valued the announcement of the Guidelines.
2. Both Ministers expressed their opinions on the regional security issues including North Korea, the East and South China Seas. Minister Kishi stressed the importance of tackling North Korea’s attempts to evade sanctions such as ship-to-ship transfers, in order to ensure the effective implementation of the relevant UNSCR towards realizing North Korea’s CVID. Minister Kishi expressed his strong resolve to defend Japan’s territorial land, sea and airspace in light of the situation around the Senkaku Islands. Minister Kishi also stressed that it is important for each country including China to refrain from taking actions that escalate tensions and to act in accordance with the rule of law, taking into account the current security environment in the South China Sea.
3. Minister Kishi introduced how Japan has promoted defense cooperation in this region with other partner countries to uphold and reinforce the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” and expressed high expectation for the enhanced presence of Germany in the Indo-Pacific region based on the recently announced Guidelines. Both Ministers confirmed to work closely together toward the Indo-Pacific deployment of German Navy vessel which is currently being planned.
4. In addition, as they concurred at the last Defense Ministerial VTC, both Ministers confirmed to develop a cohesive action against risks imposed by infectious diseases that could affect peace and security. They also reaffirmed to maintain close communication between respective defense authorities and to proactively promote defense cooperation and exchanges to uphold and reinforce the Free and Open Indo-Pacific.