The Fourth Japan-UK Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting (“2+2”)

On February 3, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and Defense Minister Kishi held the fourth Japan-UK Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting (“2+2”) with The Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and First Secretary of State of the United Kingdom, and The Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom, via video conference. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

Introduction

At the beginning of the meeting, Defense Minister Kishi stated the points below.

This meeting—following last month’s Teleconference between the two defence ministers—is a testament to the fact that Japan-UK relations are getting increasingly close.

In the current security situation, competitions among countries that intend to create an international order more preferable to themselves and to expand their influence are becoming more evident, and such countries continue unilateral attempts to change the status quo by coercion.

China’s Coast Guard Law, enforced on February 1, must not be applied in a way that contravenes the international law. As Defense Minister responsible for whatever is going on in the field, I resolve to defend Japan’s territorial land, sea and air at all costs. Today, I would like to point out my strong concerns over these matters.

‘Freedom of navigation and overflight’ is an important value shared between Japan and the UK. I am convinced that the planned visit by the UK’s Carrier Strike Group to East Asia this year will contribute to the promotion of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

Japan-UK defense cooperation is expanding its scope into areas on infection prevention measures, in addition to the new fields such as space and cyber domains.

I would like to level up Japan-UK relations with long history and tradition into a new stage.

1. General Remarks

(1)The four Ministers affirmed that, at a time when the security environment surrounding Japan and the UK is undergoing changes, and basic values and principles are facing challenges, the two countries, as global strategic partners, would further enhance cooperation towards the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. In this context, the four Ministers confirmed their commitment to continue to provide leadership in maintaining regional security and upholding the rules-based international order, as well as their opposition to attempts to coerce others in the region including by economic means.

(2)The four Ministers shared the view that, in light of the UK’s G7 Presidency and COP26 Presidency this year, Japan and the UK would deepen cooperation not only on security and defence, but also in a wide range of areas and take the lead together on international initiatives towards post-COVID-19 new order and rules.

2. Japan-UK security and defence cooperation

(1)The Japanese side welcomed the UK’s announcement of the planned visit by HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH and her Carrier Strike Group to the region including East Asia this year as an indication of the further commitment of the UK to the Indo-Pacific region. The four Ministers also shared the view to coordinate towards the implementation of joint exercises during this visit, as part of cooperation towards the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

(2)The four Ministers welcomed the signing of a Maritime Security Arrangement to further security cooperation between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the British Royal Navy as well as the steady progress made on the bilateral ground exercise which has taken place in Japan and in the UK to date.

(3)The four Ministers shared the view to continue cooperation on capacity-building for developing countries in a wide range of areas including maritime security in order to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

(4)The four Ministers also reaffirmed that they would further promote practical cooperation on monitoring and surveillance activities against illicit ship-to-ship transfers by North Korea-related vessels.

(5)Regarding defense equipment and technology cooperation, the four Ministers welcomed the ongoing dialogues on the Future Combat Air System/F-X at subsystem level, emphasised the importance of the research programme for the demonstration of a joint new air-to-air missile and welcomed progress made on the Project for Cooperative Research on the Feasibility of a Japan and Great Britain Universal Advanced RF system.

3. Other areas of Japan-UK cooperation

(1)The four Ministers welcomed progress in other domains including cyber and shared the view that the two countries would continue close dialogues, and further strengthen cooperative relations regarding economic security issues.

(2)Furthermore, the four Ministers exchanged views regarding the response to human security issues, including the global spread of the novel coronavirus disease and climate change, and shared the view to promote fair access to vaccines in response to the disease. On climate change, they confirmed the collaboration towards the achievement of “carbon neutrality” by 2050.

4. Regional affairs

(1)The four Ministers shared their serious concerns about the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea, strongly opposed unilateral attempts to change the status quo by coercion and confirmed the importance of a free and open maritime order based on the rule of law. They also emphasised the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and that all claims concerning maritime rights must be based on relevant provisions of the UNCLOS. From these perspectives, the four Ministers also exchanged views on China’s Coast Guard Law.

(2)The four Ministers also discussed the situation surrounding Hong Kong and the human rights situation in Xinjiang and shared their grave concerns.

(3)The four Ministers confirmed that it is necessary for the international community to act as one towards the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of all of North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles, and reaffirmed that the full implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions is essential to achieve this end. The four Ministers also shared the view to continue to cooperate closely towards the early resolution of the abductions issue.

(4)The four Ministers affirmed the support of the two countries for the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)” and exchanged views on the situation in Myanmar, the Middle East, and other regions.

Recent Senior-Level Teleconferences

Defense Minister

On February 4, Defense Minister Kishi held a telephone conversation with Deputy Minister of Defense, H.R.H. Prince Khalid bin Salman.

Minister Kishi and His Royal Highness Prince Khalid exchanged views on bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges and current regional security issues. Minister Kishi expressed the view that free and open maritime order based on the rule of law is important.

Both concurred on promoting bilateral defense cooperation in the context of preventing the spread of infectious diseases, including sharing expertise and lessons learned during disaster relief operations, in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister Kishi explained the information gathering activities by the SDF for ensuring the safe navigation of the Japan-related vessels in the Middle East and both agreed to continue close communication for ensuring peace, stability and safe navigation of the vessels in the Middle East.

Both concurred on proactively promoting defense cooperation and exchanges while maintaining close communication between the defense authorities.

On February 15, Defense Minister Kishi held a video teleconference with H.E. Mr. Amir Hatami Minister of Defense and Logistics of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Minister Hatami congratulated Minister Kishi on his appointment as Minister of Defense. Minister Kishi expressed his appreciation. Minister Kishi explained the extension of the information gathering activities for ensuring the safety of navigation of Japan-related vessels in the Middle East and requested Iran’s cooperation toward securing the safety of navigation for vessels including Japan-related vessels.

The two ministers exchanged views on the current situation in the Middle East and concurred on continuing communication between the defense authorities of the two countries.

Chief of Staff, Joint Staff

On February 17, General Yamazaki, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, had a video teleconference with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the United States Armed Forces General Mark A. Milley for the first time since the change of administration in the United States.

The two senior leaders affirmed that the robust ties of the Japan-U.S. Alliance remains unwavering even with response to COVID-19, and that the Alliance is prepared to address any situation/contingency in the region, in line with the latest Japan-U.S. summit and defense ministerial telephone talks.

The two senior leaders also discussed the latest security situation surrounding Japan and affirmed their position that they oppose to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by coercion in the East and South China Seas, and exchanged their views on China’s new coast guard law in this context. Furthermore, they shared the view on the importance of strengthening the U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific region and that they will strengthen cooperation with various partners both in and out of the region through measures to maintain and strengthen a Free and Open Indo-Pacific with the Japan-U.S. Alliance being the cornerstone.

Chief of Staff, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF)

On February 2, General Yuasa, Chief of Staff, JGSDF, had a teleconference with Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army General James C. McConville. The two senior leaders agreed on further deepening defense cooperation between the JGSDF and the U.S. Army, and enhancing the deterrence and response capabilities of the Alliance.

Chief of Staff, Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF)

On January 28, General Izutsu, Chief of Staff, JASDF, held a video teleconference with Lieutenant-General A.D. Meinzinger, Commander, Royal Canadian Air Force. Through the talks, the two leaders deepened their friendship with each other, and agreed to further promote defense cooperation and exchanges to uphold and reinforce “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” even in the COVID-19 situation.

From February 3 to 4, General Izutsu participated in the Chiefs of the Air Staff Conclave hosted by the Indian Air Force via VTC. In the conclave, General Izutsu gave a speech on a theme of “Significance of Air Power in the Indo-Pacific Region” and shared the importance of cooperation in the region. General Izutsu exchanged views with air chiefs including Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force to enhance mutual understanding and trust. General Izutsu has gained valuable insights for the JASDF to promote engagements in the field of air and space.