JDF2022No.148_web

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2+TM/NOn April 7, Defense Minister Kishi held the third Defense Ministers’ meeting with Secre-tary of National Defense of the Republic of the Philippines Hon. Mr. Delfin N. Lorenzana. They exchanged views on security environment surrounding the two countries, including the situation in Ukraine, and bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges.On April 9, Defense Minister Kishi and Foreign Minister Hayashi held the first Japan-Phil-ippines Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting (“2+2”) with their counterparts: Secretary Lorenzana and Secretary Locsin. The meeting has exceptional significance because the importance of Southeast Asia is growing for the security of Japan and the region. At the meeting, they discussed about bilateral defense cooperation. Most notably, they concurred on starting consideration of frameworks such as RAA and ACSA to further facilitate bilateral exercises and other cooperation. MOD/JSDF will continue to promote bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges to uphold and strengthen the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”.+%'First Japan-Philippines Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (“2+2”)First Japan-Philippines Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (“2+2”)Japan-Philippines Defense Ministers’ Meeting