Japanese Defense Minister Reaffirms Strengthening of US-Japan Defense Cooperation with US Indo-Pacific Commander

▲Nobuo Kishi, Japanese Minister of Defense (right), and Philip Davidson, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (left) [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Nobuo Kishi, Japan's Defense Minister, held talks with Philip Davidson, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, who visited Japan, reaffirming the policy to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries, Kyodo News reported on the 12th.

According to the report, on the same day, Defense Minister Kishi met with Commander Davidson at the Defense Ministry building in Tokyo and exchanged views on the situation in the East and South China Sea regions, including developments in China. They also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

They also agreed on the need for the U.S. and Japan to continue cooperating to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Furthermore, they agreed to enhance deterrence and response capabilities through joint training between the Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military, and to cooperate in responding to North Korea's ballistic missile launches.

At the meeting, Defense Minister Kishi stated, "I appreciate that amid the increasingly severe security environment in the Indo-Pacific region, the U.S. and Japan have built a very strong relationship of trust to strengthen defense cooperation."

Commander Davidson said, "The U.S.-Japan alliance is the cornerstone of regional peace and stability, and we must always maintain a system capable of responding firmly to any challenges. We must continue to work together to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific based on international law."

Earlier, Commander Davidson also held talks with Koji Yamazaki, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (equivalent to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Korea).

Commander Davidson, who is scheduled to retire soon, visited Japan to receive a decoration from the Japanese government.