None The 9th Japan-ASEAN Defense Vice-Ministerial Forum | Japan Ministry of Defense

The 9th Japan-ASEAN Defense Vice-Ministerial Forum

The Forum

The 9th Japan-ASEAN Defense Vice-Ministerial Forum was held by Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) in Fukuoka from Tuesday, 12th to Wednesday, 13th September 2017.

Mr. Ro Manabe, Japan's Vice-Minister of Defense for International Affairs took the chair at the forum, and officials at the Vice-Ministers/Secretary and other levels from all ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat participated in the forum.

During the main sessions on 13th, the participants exchanged their views on the following agenda: 1) ASEAN at Its 50th Anniversary: Achievements and Further Enhancement of Unity; 2) Regional Security Situations; and 3) The "Vientiane Vision": Current Status and Prospects.

The summary of discussions is as follows.

  • The participants confirmed the achievements of ASEAN in the security field in the past 50 years, and agreed on the importance of cooperation in further building on these achievements.
  • The participants candidly exchanged their views on the security environment of the Asia-Pacific region, and recognized various common security challenges such as the situation of the Korean Peninsula, situation in the East and South China Seas, terrorism, natural disasters, cyberattacks, and landmines and unexploded ordnance. The participants also agreed that it is important for Japan and ASEAN to respond to these challenges in the closest cooperation.
  • The participants from ASEAN gave a high evaluation on and commended Japan's defense cooperation with ASEAN and expressed their expectation for its further advancement. In response, the Japanese side expressed their willingness to proactively promote concrete defense cooperation with ASEAN in various forms including capacity building and defense equipment and technology cooperation under the "Vientiane Vision."

JMOD invites a defense minister from an ASEAN member state as part of the forum. This year, JMOD invited Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

On 13th, Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh delivered a special address on "Regional Situations from the Cambodian Perspective." In addition to stating his views on regional situations, Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh expressed his thankfulness for Japanese contribution to the peacekeeping operation in Cambodia, mentioned the importance of Japanese support for the principle of ASEAN centrality, and called for the enhancement of international cooperation in order to solve security problems in the Asia-Pacific in his address.

Also on 13th, Mr. Tatsuo Fukuda, Japan's Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense, gave a welcome speech in which he welcomed the participants' visit to Japan, congratulated on ASEAN's 50th anniversary, and expressed his respect for the great effort of ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat to strengthen ASEAN unity and centrality. He also stated that Japan will continue its effort to realize regional and global peace and prosperity under the banner of Proactive Contribution to Peace, and proactively promote defense cooperation with ASEAN under the "Vientiane Vision."