Prime Minister & Mrs. Abe and the U.S. President & Mrs. Trump Visit JS KAGA

On May 28th, Prime Minister and Mrs. Abe visited JS KAGA (DDH 184) anchored in Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) YOKOSUKA District with the U.S. President and Mrs. Trump.

Prime Minister Abe and President Trump gave remarks to encourage members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and the U.S. Forces in Japan (USFJ).

They affirmed the ironclad bond of the Japan-U.S. Alliance and that they will cooperate closely to contribute to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

It was the very first time in history for Japanese and U.S. leaders to give remarks to encourage members of the JSDF and USFJ together.

Japan-Vietnam Defense Ministerial Meeting

On May 2nd, Minister of Defense Iwaya held a Japan-Vietnam Defense Ministerial Meeting with Minister of National Defense Lich at the Vietnam Defense Ministry.

After the meeting, a signing ceremony for “Memorandum on the orientation of promotion of defense industry cooperation between Japanese and Vietnamese defense ministries” was held between Commissioner of Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) Miyama and Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Vice-Minister of National Defence of Vietnam.

1. Opening

At the beginning of the meeting, Minister Lich offered his congratulations on the ascension of the new Emperor and expressed his gratitude for receiving the Reiwa era’s first ministerial visit from Japan, and Minister Iwaya thanked him. Minister Iwaya expressed his condolences over the recent passing of former President Anh.

2. The regional situation

(1) Concerning North Korea, Minister Iwaya emphasized the importance of enforcing United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and requested support for solving the issue of the abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korea. Minister Lich expressed his intention to cooperate on denuclearizing North Korea.

(2) Both Ministers shared opinions on the situation in the South China Sea and agreed to cooperate further on the issue.

3. Japan-Vietnam Defense Cooperation

Based on the Joint Vision Statement on Japan-Vietnam Defense Cooperation, Minister Iwaya expressed his desire to progress on various issues, including 1. High-level exchange, 2. Port visits for military vessels and aircraft, 3. Strengthening capacity-building support, 4. Multi-lateral cooperation on the Vientiane Vision, which is guideline for Japan-ASEAN defense cooperation, and 5. Holding policy consultations. Minister Lich expressed his agreement and had high praise for past cooperative efforts with Japan.

4. Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation

Based on the specific measures included in the“Memorandum on the orientation of promotion of defense industry cooperation between Japanese and Vietnamese defense ministries,” both ministers agreed to promote defense equipment and technology cooperation between Japan and Vietnam.

5. Defense policy for both countries

Minister Iwaya explained Japan’s defense policy including the new National Defense Program Guideline outlined last year and the vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. He expressed his desire for deeper cooperation with Vietnam based on these policies. Minister Lich welcomed Japan’s participation in these efforts.

Minister Iwaya Pays Courtesy Call to Prime Minister Phuc

On May 4th, Minister Iwaya paid a courtesy call to Prime Minster Phuc at his office.

1. Opening

Minister Phuc opened the meeting by welcoming Minister Iwaya to Vietnam and expressed his appreciation for Minister Iwaya’s participation in the state funeral for former President Anh that was held on the previous day. Minister Phuc also expressed his wishes for Japan’s prosperity in the Reiwa era. Minister Iwaya thanked him for these words and once again expressed his condolences for the passing of former President Anh.

2. Japan-Vietnam Defense Cooperation

Based on the outcome of the Japan-Vietnam Defense Ministerial Meeting, Minister Iwaya expressed his desire to see further cooperation between Japan and Vietnam on a wide variety of issues including port calls of vessels and aircraft, strengthening support for capacity building, and cooperation in sharing defense equipment and technology. Minister Phuc responded that Vietnam also wishes to strengthen cooperative ties with Japan.

3. The regional situation

Concerning North Korea, Minister Iwaya once again emphasized the importance of enforcing UNSC resolutions. Both Ministers agreed to continue cooperating on the denuclearization of North Korea. They also had a discussion concerning the situation in the South China Sea and shared their recognition of the situation.

Japan-Singapore Defense Ministerial Meeting

On May 22nd, Minister Iwaya held a Japan-Singapore Defense Ministerial Meeting with Dr. Ng Eng Hen, the Minister for Defence of Republic of Singapore.

1. Opening

Minister Iwaya expressed his happiness to reunite with Minister Ng after meeting at the ASEAN Defense Minister’s Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) and praised Singapore’s hosting of the ADMM-Plus last year. He also expressed his gratitude for Singapore’s cooperation, particularly JMSDF port calls. In response, Minister Ng expressed his belief that Japan plays an important role in the ADMM-Plus and welcomed port calls by the JMSDF. Both Ministers expressed their desire for further promotion of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

2. Defense Policy of both Countries

Minister Iwaya provided an explanation of Japan’s National Defense Program Guidelines outlined last year and expressed his desire for further cooperative efforts between Japan and Singapore based on those guidelines.

Minister Iwaya also provided an explanation of the vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and expressed his desire for Japan and Singapore to strengthen their cooperative efforts based on the vision. In response, Minister Ng expressed strong support for the policy behind Japan’s National Defense Program Guidelines as well as his recognition of the importance of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

3. Japan-Singapore Defense Cooperation

To mark 10 years since the conclusion of the Memorandum on Defense Cooperation and Exchanges between Japan and Singapore, both Ministers welcomed the strengthening of defense cooperation between Japan and Singapore and agreed to continue cooperative efforts such as port calls.

Also, both Ministers expressed their intention to further cooperative efforts with other countries and in ASEAN through opportunities such as ADMM-Plus meetings.

4. Regional Situation

Concerning North Korea, Minister Iwaya emphasized the importance of continued efforts to enforce UNSC resolutions and expressed his desire for closer cooperation on the issues involving North Korea including countermeasures for illegal ship-to-ship transfers.

In response, Minister Ng expressed his desire to continue cooperation on such issues. Minister Iwaya also requested support in stopping the abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korea. Both Ministers exchanged opinions concerning the regional situation including in the South China Sea.

Japan-Qatar Defense Ministerial Meeting

On May 23rd, Minister of Defense Iwaya held a Japan-Qatar Defense Ministerial Meeting with H.E. Dr. Al-ATTIYAH, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs of Qatar.

1. Opening Remarks

Minister Iwaya congratulated Minister Attiyah on the conferment of honors, and in particular appreciated his support for Great East Japan Earthquake reconstruction assistance, which was one of the reasons for the conferment of honors at this time. Additionally, Minister Attiyah confirmed that Japan-Qatar relations has a deep history, that the leaders of both countries agreed to promote defense cooperation and exchanges, acknowledged the Defense Ministerial Meeting that was held this time, and stated that he would like to further promote both countries’ cooperation.

2. Defense Policy of both Countries

Minister Iwaya, in addition to the new National Defense Program Guidelines that Japan formulated at the end of last year, explained the vision of the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” Minister Iwaya stated that he would like to promote cooperation between the two countries based on this vision. Minister Attiyah also explained the Qatar’s defense policy.

3. Japan-Qatar Defense Cooperation

(1) Minister Iwaya, based on the “Memorandum on Defense Exchange” signed in 2015, noted that defense exchanges, centered on personnel exchanges between the two countries, including Air Force exchanges, are deepening, and Minister Attiyah said that the State of Qatar welcomes these exchanges.

(2) The two Ministers agreed to expand the fields, including these defense exchanges cooperation.

4. Regional Situation

Minister Iwaya explained the importance of continued full implementation of the UNSC resolutions regarding the North Korea and the full-fledged efforts to address “ship-to-ship transfers.” Minister Attiyah explained the situation in the Middle East. The two Ministers agreed that fostering trust with the countries is important for peace and stability in the region.