Minister of Defense Kihara’s Participation in the 21st IISS Asia Security Summit and Meetings with Defense Ministers

Minister of Defense Kihara held a meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun at the 21st IISS Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) and expressed serious concerns on the situation in the East China Sea including Senkaku Islands. They discussed communication between the defense authorities and concurred to promote dialogue and exchanges.

• Japan-China Defense Ministerial Meeting

Minister of Defense Kihara held Japan-France Defense Ministerial Meeting with Minister of the Armed Forces Lecornu at the 21st IISS Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) on Jun 1. They welcomed the commencement of negotiation on Japan-France Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) and discussed Japan-France defense cooperation and exchanges.

• Japan-France Defense Ministerial Meeting

Minister of Defense Kihara held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Al-Attiyah, DPM and SM for Defense Affairs of Qatar at the 21st IISS Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue). They agreed to further promote Japan-Qatar defense cooperation based on “strategic partnership”. DM Kihara expressed his expectations for Qatar’s role in stabilizing the Middle East.

• Japan-Qatar Defense Ministerial Meeting

On June 1, Minister of Defense Kihara and Minister of National Defense Shin confirmed that measures to prevent recurrence of a pending issue between Japan-Republic defense authorities had been formulated and concurred to ensure safety based on the measures in the event that JMSDF and ROK Navy encounter in ordinary times. The Ministers concurred to endeavor to advance Japan-Republic of Korea-U.S. security cooperation and enhance mutual trust between the Japan-Republic of Korea defense authorities, while promoting cooperation and exchanges in various fields.

Minister of Defense Kihara held a meeting with Singapore Minister for Defence NG Eng Hen at the 21st IISS Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) on Jun 1. They discussed bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation and exchanges and concurred to continue to enhance their defense cooperation.

• Japan-Singapore Defense Ministerial Meeting

Minister of Defense Kihara held the first Japan-Australia-Republic of Korea defense ministers’ meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Marles and Minister of National Defense Shin on June 2. They discussed common challenges in the region and their respective efforts to realize a Free and Open Indo Pacific.

Minister of Defense Kihara held a meeting with Minister for Home Affairs & Immigration of Fiji, Hon Pio Tikoduadua at the 21st IISS Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) on Jun 2. They discussed bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation and exchanges and concurred to continue to enhance defense cooperation.

• Japan-Fiji Defense Ministerial Meeting

Minister of Defense Kihara held Japan-Netherlands Defense Ministerial Meeting with Minister Ollongren at the 21st IISS Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) on June 2. DM Kihara welcomed Netherlands’ enhanced engagement with the Indo-Pacific region, and they concurred to advance Japan-Netherlands defense cooperation.

• Japan-Netherlands Defense Ministerial Meeting

Minister of Defense Kihara held a meeting with Minister of Defense of Ukraine Umerov on June 2 and reiterated his respect for the courage and perseverance of the Ukrainian people fighting against Russia’s aggression to defend their homeland and freedom.

• Japan-Ukraine Defense Ministerial Meeting

Minister of Defense Kihara met with Secretary of Defense Austin on June 2. Building on their frequent and continuous engagement in person and over the phone so far, they reaffirmed the strong advancement of the Japan-U.S. Alliance to ensure peace and stability in Japan and the Indo-Pacific region.

• Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting (Summary)

Minister of Defense Kihara held Japan-New Zealand Defense Ministerial Meeting with Minister of Defence Collins on June 2. Japan-New Zealand ministers concurred to further advance bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges in the Pacific Islands.

• Japan-New Zealand Defense Ministerial Meeting

Minister of Defense Kihara held a meeting with Minister of National Defence Kasciunas on June 2. They exchanged views on bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges including cyber defense and supporting Ukraine based on Japan-Lithuania Memorandum of Understanding signed last October.

• Japan-Lithuania Defense Ministerial Meeting

Minister of Defense Kihara held Japan-Canada Defense Ministerial Meeting with Minister Blair at the 21st IISS Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) on June 2. DM Kihara welcomed that bilateral defense cooperation has steadily been deepening in the Indo-Pacific region, and they concurred to advance Japan-Canada defense exchanges.

• Japan-Canada Defense Ministerial Meeting

Minister of Defense Kihara held Japan-United States-Republic of Korea Trilateral meeting with Secretary of Defense Austin and Minister of National Defense Shin on June 2. They concurred to conduct a new, trilateral multi-domain exercise and tabletop exercise to discuss regional security challenges and institutionalize framework for trilateral cooperation.

• Japan-United States-Republic of Korea Trilateral Ministerial Meeting (TMM)
• UNITED STATES-JAPAN-REPUBLIC OF KOREA TRILATERAL MINISTERIAL MEETING (TMM) JOINT PRESS STATEMENT

Defense Minister Kihara had a conversation with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, Senator Dan Sullivan, Senator Chris Coons and Senator Laphonza Butler on May 31. They discussed reginal affairs surrounding Japan and importance of further strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance. Defense Minister Kihara expressed his appreciation for the support from the U.S. Congress to the Alliance and asked for the continued support.