Defense Minister Kishi’s Participation in the 19th IISS Asia Security Summit and the Bilateral and Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meetings
May 5, 2022
Ministry of Defense
From June 10th to 12th, Minister of Defense Kishi attended the 19th IISS Asia Security Summit. During the summit, he delivered a speech and held meetings with defense ministers of countries represented at the summit. Brief summary of the speech and the meetings are as below.
1. Speech at the IISS Asia Security Summit（June 11th, AM）
Minister Kishi gave a speech on "Managing Geopolitical Competition in a Multipolar Region,” which was the theme for the second plenary session. In his speech, he explained implications of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine for the Indo-Pacific region and Japan's efforts to deal with geopolitical competition in the region.
First, the response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine influences not only the fate of that country but also that of the rules-based international order. Minister Kishi showed his recognition that the world is now in the midst of competition between those countries protecting the rules-based international order and those attempting to change the order by force.
Furthermore, Minister Kishi pointed out the three lessons from the on-going invasion: 1) the danger posed by countries that possess or are developing nuclear weapons, but disregard the rules, is real and present: 2) with steadfast resistance from the invaded country and the cooperation of the entire international community, an invasion’s momentum can be curtailed: 3) there are various efforts the international community can support even at great distance or if separated from the region.
Minister Kishi stated that these lessons can be applied to the Indo-Pacific region which has latent issues synonymous with the invasion, followed by his reference to the intensification of Russian military activities in the Far East, the possibility of further deepening Sino-Russia ties, unilateral change of, and attempts to change the status quo in the South China and East China Seas as well as the Taiwan issue and the North Korean issue. Moreover, Minister Kishi asserted that in the face of the reality that the actors provoking such problems, not only possess or are developing nuclear weapons, but also are taking actions that ignore the rules, Japan is located right at the frontline facing these actors and emphasized the need to fundamentally reinforce Japan’s defense capabilities and further elevate the Japan-US alliance in order to even more closely follow the path of a peace-loving nation.
In addition, Minister Kishi expressed Japan’s continued will to pursue the realization of, a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” FOIP, in order to protect the rules-based international order. Specifically, building mutually beneficial partnerships that support the centrality and unity of ASEAN, reinforcing the international-law-based-rules through various regional frameworks, developing the four-nation Japan, the United States, Australia and India cooperation framework into a more tangible initiative, and promoting cooperation with countries outside of the region, beginning with European countries. Finally, Minister Kishi stated that he is confident that even if a crisis hits the Indo-Pacific, the international community can act as one to rebuff such an attempt to disregard the rules and delivered a strong message that no one should underestimate the strong solidarity of the countries protecting the rules-based international order.
2. Meetings with Defense Ministers
United States-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral Ministerial Meeting(TMM)
On June 11, Defense Minister Kishi held a defense ministerial meeting with Austin and Minister Lee. The ministers discussed various topics including North Korea and reaffirmed the importance of cooperation and committed to conduct trilateral exercises.
United States-Japan-Australia Trilateral Defense Ministers Meeting (TDMM)
On 11 June, Defense Miniter Kishi had the 10th trilateral Defense Ministers Meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles.
Japan-Canada Defense Ministers’ Meeting
On June 11, Defense Miniter Kishi held a meeting with Minister Anand, National Defense of Canada on the occasion of the 19th IISS Asia Security Summit. They affirmed their continued close cooperation to uphold and reinforce the Free and Open IndoPacific.
Japan-Singapore Defense Ministers’ Meeting
On June 11, Defense Minister Kishi held a face-to-face meeting with Defense Minister Ng of Singapore. They exchanged views on regional security issues and bilateral defense cooperation, and confirmed to continue and strengthen defense cooperation and exchanges between Japan and Singapore.
In the morning, they signed the revised Memorandum on Defense Exchanges between JMOD & Singapore MINDEF, and also announced the launch of official negotiation regarding the Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment & Technology.
Japan-Fiji Defense Ministers’ Meeting
On June 12, Defense Minister Kishi held the first face-to-face Japan-Fiji Defense Ministers’ Meeting with Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing Seruiratu of Republic of Fiji; ministers exchanged views on issues such as defense cooperation & regional security.
Japan-Australia Defense Ministers’Meeting
On June 12, Defense Miniter Kishi had the first meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles during the 19th IISS Asia Security Summit.
Japan-New Zealand Defense Minister’s Meeting
On June 12, Defense Minister Kishi held a meeting with Minister Henare of New Zealand at the Shangri-La Dialogue. The two ministers concurred in further promoting defense cooperation in the Pacific Islands Region to maintain and strengthen a Free and Open Indo Pacific.
Japan-China Minister of Defense Meeting
On June 12,Defense Minister Kishi met with Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe at the Shangri-La Dialogue. Regarding the situation in the East and South China Seas, Defense Minister Kishi expressed conveyed his strong concern about the continued unilateral attempts to change the status quo by coercion, including in the areas around the Senkaku Islands. Defense Minister Kishi conveyed that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is critical also for the international community.
Regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Defense Minister Kishi stated that unilateral changes to the status quo by coercion undermines the foundation of the international order and urged China to play a responsible role as a permanent member of the Security Council.
Japan-Czech Defense Vice Minister’s Meeting
On June 11, Mr. Tsuchimichi, Vice-Minister of Defense for International Affairs, held a meeting with Mr. Blažkovec, DM of Defense of Czech, at the Shangri-La Dialogue. They exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine & the Indo-Pacific region, as well as on Japan and Czech defense cooperation.
Japan-Lithuania Defense Vice Minister’s Meeting
On June 12, Mr. Tsuchimichi, Vice-Minister of Defense for International Affairs, held a meeting with Mr. Abukevičius, Vice-Minister of National Defense of Lithuania at the Shangri-La Dialogue. They exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine & the Indo-Pacific region and on Japan-Lithuania defense cooperation.