Defense Minister Hamada’s Participation in the 20th IISS Asia Security Summit and Meetings with Defense Ministers
1. Speech at the IISS Asia Security Summit
2. Meetings with Defense Ministers
United States-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting
On June 3, Defense Minister Hamada held a Japan, the United States and ROK Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting with Secretary Austin and Minister Lee at the 20th IISS Asian Security Summit. They reaffirmed the importance of defense cooperation and pledged to make further progress toward operationalizing the trilateral mechanism to exchange real-time missile warning data initially over the next few months.
United States-Japan-Australia Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting
On June 3, Defense Minister Hamada had the 12th trilateral Defense Ministers Meeting with Secretary Lloyd Austin of the U.S. and Minister Richard Marles of Australia.
The Ministers highlighted the alignment of their strategic outlooks and reaffirmed their continued commitment to further enhance trilateral defense cooperation and cooperation with regional partners including India, European, ASEAN and Pacific Island counties.
Japan-China Defense Ministerial Meeting
On June 3, Defense Minister Hamada held a meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu. Defense Minister Hamada once again conveyed strong concerns about the situation in the East China Sea including the waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands, and that candid communication is necessary because of such concerns.
The two ministers agreed to maintain dialogue and exchanges.
Japan-Australia-Philippines-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting
On June 3, Defense Minister Hamada met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Marles, Philippine Senior Undersecretary and Officer in Charge of the Department of National Defense Galvez and U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin to hold the first Japan-Australia-Philippine-U.S. defense ministerial meeting.
The four defense leaders discussed reginal issues of common interest and opportunities to expand cooperation. They also affirmed that they share a vision for a Free and Open Indo Pacific and collectively make efforts to ensure the vision continues to thrive.
Japan-Singapore Signing Ceremony of the Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology
On June 3, Defense Minister Hamada, together with Defense Minister Ng of Singapore, observed the signing of the bilateral agreement concerning the transfer of defense equipment and technology.
Riding on this momentum, JMOD/JSDF will further promote defense exchanges with Singapore and accelerate discussions on specific defense equipment transfer projects.
Japan-Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting
On June 4, Defense Minister Hamada held a meeting with Minister Marles of Australia.
The Ministers signed RDT&E Arrangement and confirmed to further strengthen S&T cooperation in various fields. They affirmed the importance of sharing strategic perspective and advancing Japan-Australia defense cooperation.
Japan-Ukraine Defense Ministerial Meeting
On June 4, Defense Minister Hamada held a meeting with Minister Reznikov of Ukraine. He delivered that JMOD decided to provide around 100 SDF vehicles as well as to accept Ukrainian injured soldiers to SDF Central Hospital. Defense Minister Reznikov expressed deep gratitude to this.
JMOD/JSDF will continue to support Ukraine as much as possible, and will continue to take resolute actions in solidarity with the international community.
Japan-ROK Defense Ministerial Meeting
On June 4, Defense Minister Hamada held a meeting with Defense Minister Lee Jong-Sup of Republic of Korea at the Shangri-La Dialogue.
The two ministers concurred on the importance of advancing Japan-ROK and Japan-ROK-U.S. defense cooperation. They also affirmed that Japan-ROK defense authorities will communicate more closely.
Japan-NZ Signing Ceremony
On June 4, Defense Minister Hamada signed the “Statement of Intent on Defence Cooperation in Maritime Security, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief and Climate Change in the Pacific Islands Region” with Defence Minister Little of New Zealand.
The two ministers welcomed the signing of the statement of Intent. Furthermore, they concurred on further promoting defense cooperation in the Pacific Islands Region under the statement of Intent.
3. Meetings with Defense Vice-Ministers
Japan-New Zealand Vice Ministers’ Meeting
On June 2, Vice-Minister of Defense for International Affairs Oka held a meeting with Secretary of Defence Andrew Bridgman of New Zealand at the Shangri-La Dialogue.
They concurred on strengthening coordination in the Pacific Islands Region to realize a Free and Open Indo Pacific and communicating more closely between respective defense authorities to further develop Japan-New Zealand defense cooperation and exchanges.
Japan-Australia Vice Ministers’ Meeting
On June 2, Vice-Minister of Defense for International Affairs Oka, held a meeting with Secretary Moriarty of the Department of Defence of Australia at the Shangri-La Dialogue. They concurred Japan and Australia share strategic perspective and affirmed to further advance bilateral defense cooperation.
Japan-Lithuania Vice Minister’s Meeting
On June 2, Vice-Minister of Defense for International Affairs Oka held a meeting with Vice-Minister of National Defence of Lithuania Tomkus, at the Shangri-La Dialogue.
Vice-Minister Oka and Vice-Minister Tomkus confirmed that Japan-Lithuania has a lot in common as for regional affairs and strategic interest. They also concurred to strengthen defense cooperation and exchanges between Japan-Lithuania.