Japan-Australia Defence Ministerial Meeting

On November 20th, Defense Minister Kono and Australian Minister for Defence, Senator Linda Reynolds held a Japan-Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting. The Ministers welcomed the significant progress in the defense relationship in 2019, including the first bilateral fighter jet exercise BUSHIDO GUARDIAN and Japan’s largest ever participation in the Australia-U.S. joint exercise TALISMAN SABRE. The Ministers committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation in order to deepen the Special Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

IISS Manama Dialogue 2019

From November 23rd to 24th, Defense Minister Kono attended the 15th IISS Manama Dialogue.

Summary of Speech by Minister Kono

Minister Kono gave a speech in the session “Maritime Security in the Middle East.” In the speech, he touched on the facts that maritime security of the Middle East is directly linked to the peace and economic prosperity of the world, including that of Japan’s and talked about the personnel contributions that the JSDF has made to maritime security of the Middle East to date. Moreover, he stated that Japan’s ties with the Middle East have become closer, including participation in exercises, defense equipment cooperation, developing person-to-person links, etc. in this region.

Next, he stated that Japan has contributed to the peace and stability of this region even at a time of increasing concern about security in Japan’s immediate vicinity, because an open and secure maritime order provides the basis for a stable and prosperous international community, and that ensuring that the maritime commons of the Middle East remain a global public good is critical for the peace and stability of the entire world, as Japan takes the position that the principle of freedom of navigation and the rule of law at sea are essential.

Moreover, Minister Kono conveyed his strong concerns regarding escalation of the tension in the Middle East and talked about how Japan has persistently made diplomatic efforts to help ease tensions and to bring stability to the Middle East. He announced that, in an effort to reinforce information gathering capabilities, Japan has started to consider how it can best utilize the assets of the JSDF as Japan’s independent efforts, with the aim of contributing not only to ensuring the safety of Japan-related ships, but also to securing the peace and stability of the Middle East region.

Finally, he stated that Japan will strive to maintain an international order and maritime order based on the rule of law under the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” vision rooted in the principle of international cooperation, and that it was his conviction that this vision would contribute to not only maritime security in the Middle East but also the peace and stability of the world.

Japan-India 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting (2+2 Ministerial Meeting)

On November 30th, Mr. Motegi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister Kono held the first Japan-India 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting (2+2 Ministerial Meeting) with External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Defence Minister of India, Mr. Rajnath Singh.

The Ministers exchanged their views on bilateral security and defense cooperation, including Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) currently under negotiation, bilateral exercises, exchange of information under the “Implementing Arrangement for Deeper Cooperation between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Indian Navy” as well as the defense equipment and technology cooperation. The Ministers reaffirmed to further cooperate with ASEAN for promoting peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific. The ministers expressed their hope that Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” vision, “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)” and India’s “Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative” will produce a synergy effect. They also discussed North Korean issues, situation in the South China Sea and other issues on regional/international situation.

Japan-India Defense Ministerial Meeting

On November 30th, Minister Kono and Defence Minister of India, Mr. Rajnath Singh held a Defense Ministerial Meeting on the sidelines of the 2+2 Ministerial Meeting.

The Ministers welcomed the significant progress made in the negotiations of ACSA and agreed to accelerate efforts on the negotiations before a visit of Prime Minister Abe to India.

The Ministers reaffirmed the progress in cooperation so far and exchanged views on further concrete defense cooperation on bilateral exercises between all three components, defense equipment and technology cooperation, maritime security and the third countries cooperation. The Ministers agreed to continuously coordinate in order to deepen defense cooperation.