None TOPICS | JDF - Japan Defense Focus (No.122) | Japan Ministry of Defense

Japan Defense Focus No.122 Apr. 2020

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Defense Minister’s Visit to Germany

From February 15th to 16th, Defense Minister Kono visited Germany to attend the 56th Munich Security Conference.

Cabinet members of governments, such as Foreign and Defense Ministers, and leaders of international organizations, including the U.S. (Secretary of State Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Esper), Germany (Defence Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer), France (Minister for the Armed Forces Parly), Russia (Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov) and NATO (Secretary General Stoltenberg) participated in this year’s conference. Taking into account the increasingly complex security environment, various discussions on Europe including NATO and EU were held.

During his visit, Minister Kono held meetings with representing leaders and exchanged views on bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges.

Japan-Ukraine Defense Ministerial Meeting

Defense Minister’s Visit to Germany

Minister Kono held the meeting with Minister of Defense of Ukraine Zagorodnyuk, and it was the first meeting between the defense ministers of Japan and Ukraine.

The ministers confirmed the importance of defense cooperation between two countries and agreed to engage in various types of cooperation based on the Memorandum between the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of Japan on Cooperation and Exchanges in the Field of Defense signed in 2018. They also exchanged views on the regional security situations surrounding both countries.

Japan-Canada Defense Ministerial Meeting

Defense Minister’s Visit to Germany

Minister Kono held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Harjit Singh Sajjan, Minister for National Defence of Canada.

Minister Kono welcomed the progress of cooperative efforts involving defense authorities from both countries in various fields including the effectuation of the Japan-Canada Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) in July last year and cooperation in warning and surveillance activities against ship-to-ship transfers conducted by North Korea. Furthermore, in the field of peacekeeping, Minister Kono expressed gratitude for the participation of observers from the Canadian Army in the heavy equipment operations training Japan conducted in Vietnam last year as part of the UN Project for Rapid Deployment of Enabling Capabilities which Japan has contributed to. Minister Kono also stated that he would like to continue to engage in further cooperation.

After reviewing recent efforts in defense cooperation and exchanges including Minister Sajjan’s visit to Japan in June last year, the two ministers shared the view to continue working to strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japan-France Defense Ministerial Meeting

Defense Minister’s Visit to Germany

Minister Kono held a meeting with French Minister of Armed Forces Parly.

The two ministers welcomed the progress of Japan-France security and defense cooperation, confirmed that they would work closely to coordinate the upcoming Japan-France Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (“2+2”) in Tokyo, and shared the view to continue to make concrete steps to promote cooperation for achieving the vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” as partners.

Japan-Germany Defense Ministerial Meeting

Defense Minister’s Visit to Germany

Minister Kono held a meeting with German Minister of Defence Kramp-Karrenbauer.

The two ministers confirmed efforts to promote cooperation in the fields of security and defense, and shared the view that they would promote concrete cooperation to realize the vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”. They also exchanged views on the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Furthermore, Minister Kono expressed his gratitude for the Staff Band of Bundeswehr’s participation in the JSDF Marching Festival 2019 held at the end of November last year and stated that he would like to promote future opportunities and exchange in the field of music.

Meeting between Minister Kono and EU High Representative

Defense Minister’s Visit to Germany

Minister Kono held a meeting with EU High Representative Borrell.

Both sides welcomed the progress of cooperation between Japan and the EU, particularly in the field of maritime security. They shared the view that they would continue to promote substantial efforts for defense cooperation and exchange including joint training exercises with anti-piracy personnel in the EU Naval Force taking part in Operation Atalanta.

Meeting between Minister Kono and NATO Secretary General

Defense Minister’s Visit to Germany

Minister Kono held a meeting with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg.

Both sides welcomed the progress of cooperation between Japan and NATO, particularly in the fields of cyber security and maritime security, and shared the view that they would proceed with efforts for the next revision of the Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme (IPCP).

Cobra Gold 20

Cobra Gold 20

The JSDF participated in the multilateral exercise Cobra Gold 20 (CG20) in Thailand from January 26th to March 9th. Approx. 240 personnel from the Joint Staff Office, JGSDF, JMSDF, and JASDF joined this exercise.

CG20, hosted by the U.S. Armed Forces and Royal Thai Armed Forces, is one of the biggest multilateral exercises in Southeast Asia. This is the 16th time that the JSDF has participated since 2005.

A total of 9 countries from the Indo-Pacific Region, Japan, Thailand, U.S. Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, ROK, China, and India participated in CG 20.

During the exercise, the JSDF conducted various training such as cooperation and support activities under the international peace joint response situations, Rescue of Japanese Nationals Overseas (RJNO), and also joined response to cyberattacks, and friendship jump for the first time.

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In the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) training, the JSDF joined Disaster Relief Rescue Operation assuming heavy flood disaster and enhanced the HA/DR capabilities. Also, the JSDF constructed the multipurpose hall for the local school with the U.S. and Thai armed forces as part of Humanitarian Civic Assistance. The JSDF stayed at the elementary school during the one-month construction work and had a good friendship with the local students.

Through this exercise, the JSDF maintained and improved its capabilities in cooperative support activities in the international peace joint response situations, RJNO, international peace cooperation activities, and international disaster relief activities. The JSDF also enhanced mutual understanding and strengthened relationships of trust with the participating countries.

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