Japan, Turkey agree to begin discussions on defense exchanges
At their meeting in the Turkish capital Ankara, Nakatani and Guler discussed the possibility of collaboration in defense equipment and technology as a "potential cooperative field," the Defense Ministry said.
They also confirmed their nations will widen defense cooperation while working together toward peace and stability in their respective regions, according to the ministry.
The talks came as Japan has been considering buying drones made in Turkey as part of its efforts to strengthen its surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Turkey has provided offensive drones to Ukraine during its war with Russia.
Nakatani, who already stopped in Djibouti during his three-nation trip from Sunday, became the first Japanese defense minister to visit Turkey. He is set to travel to Jordan on Thursday.
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First, the potential positioning of the MDTF in Japan could lead to a narrowing of the role of U.S. forces in South Korea, confining them to defensive operations on the Korean Peninsula and limited overseas support. This shift would effectively relocate the center of gravity of the South Korea-U.S. alliance towards Japan, potentially diminishing South Korea's strategic relevance. As a result, South Korea will need to recalibrate its position within the alliance. By linking with the MDTF, South Korea has the opportunity to maintain and enhance the strategic value of U.S. forces stationed in the country. A failure to do so could risk relegating South Korea to a secondary role within the trilateral cooperation framework, undermining its ability to influence regional security dynamics. Thus, the establishment of the MDTF in Japan would heighten the pressure on South Korea to participate in the alliance's strategy to counter China. 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Instead, it presents an opportunity to secure new areas of contribution and to expand the South Korea-U.S. alliance from a focus on Korean Peninsula defense to a broader commitment to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Ultimately, it is crucial for South Korea to position itself not as a passive follower but as an active architect of the future of its alliances, shaping its role in a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment. By embracing this proactive stance, South Korea can enhance its strategic relevance and contribute meaningfully to the collective security of the Indo-Pacific region.
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