Latest news with #AsiaSecuritySummit
Yomiuri Shimbun
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Defense Minister Nakatani Calls for Greater Cooperation in Shangri-La Dialogue Address; Rules-Based Order Being ‘Hollowed out'
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo Defense Minister Gen Nakatani SINGAPORE — Defense Minister Gen Nakatani gave an address at the Asia Security Summit in Singapore on Saturday in which he emphasized the importance of defense cooperation among Indo-Pacific countries and laid out a new cooperative framework. At the summit, which is also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, Nakatani also spoke about promoting cooperation between members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United States, Australia and India, with China in mind. 'The rules-based international order is rapidly being hollowed out,' Nakatani said. Nakatani's address took place in the context of such factors as Russia's aggression against Ukraine and China's move to ignore a 2016 decision by the Arbitral Tribunal and strengthen its effective control of the South China Sea. AP Defense Minister Gen Nakatani delivers a speech during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on Saturday. The defense minister expressed concern that 'rapid military buildups, including of nuclear weapons, and provocative military actions are on the rise' and said that such moves are 'large obstacles in maintaining a trustful relationship in security.' On the other hand, Nakatani welcomed ASEAN's expanded role in security, as well as the strengthening of the Japan-U.S. alliance and cooperation between Japan, the United States, Australia and the Philippines, calling such moves 'encouraging.' The cooperative framework that Nakatani proposed, which calls on the countries with common values and interests to expand their cooperation, is dubbed OCEAN (One Cooperative Effort Among Nations). He said that it is important for 'the defense authorities of those countries to create synergy by strengthening their cooperation.' In accordance with that principle, Nakatani said Japan will deepen its collaboration with ASEAN member countries through such assistance as improving their capabilities and transferring defense equipment to them. Japan, he said, would also deepen defense cooperation within the Japan-U.S.- South Korea and Japan-U.S.-Philippine trilateral groups. 'We should work to restore the rules-based international order,' Nakatani said. 'Japan will stay at the center of moves aimed at that.'
The Mainichi
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Japan, US vow to spur cybersecurity cooperation amid rising threats
SINGAPORE (Kyodo) -- Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth agreed Saturday to boost cybersecurity cooperation, following Japan's enactment of a law allowing the government to monitor online communications amid rising cyber threats. After their talks in Singapore, meanwhile, Nakatani did not clarify whether Hegseth had requested Japan pay more for defense during their meeting. U.S. President Donald Trump views the long-standing security treaty with Japan as unfair and one-sided. Nakatani and Hegseth met on the sidelines of the annual Asia Security Summit, better known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, being held for three days from Friday. It was their first in-person meeting since March in Tokyo. In May, Japan enacted a law introducing "active cyberdefense" measures aimed at preempting cyberattacks, enabling police and the Self-Defense Forces to counter threats by accessing and neutralizing the source servers. Nakatani told reporters that he and Hegseth also affirmed their governments will closely collaborate to align their top strategic priorities, as the Pentagon plans to release the latest version of its policy document, the National Defense Strategy. The Trump administration has expressed eagerness to compile a final draft of the document by the end of August. Japan issued its National Defense Strategy in 2022, pledging to acquire "counterstrike capabilities" to directly target enemy territory in an emergency, as China continues to build up its forces and North Korea seeks to expand its nuclear and missile arsenal. According to government sources, Japan eyes "two-plus-two" security talks with the United States, involving their foreign and defense ministers in Washington this summer -- the first under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and during Trump's second term in office. Earlier on Saturday, Nakatani delivered a speech at the security summit, calling for global efforts to restore a "rules-based international order," with Japan "at its center." He also aired concerns over a "rapid military buildup, including nuclear forces, without transparency" and an "increase in provocative military activities," in an apparent reference to Chinese forces.
Kyodo News
14 hours ago
- Business
- Kyodo News
Japan rules out defense deal in return for U.S. tariff easing
KYODO NEWS - May 30, 2025 - 12:06 | Japan, All, World Japan has no intention of purchasing defense equipment from the United States in return for the easing of tariff measures, a minister said Friday, in the run-up to a fourth round of bilateral trade talks. Such a purchase would be "something that should be considered based on what is necessary for the peace of our country," Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said at a press conference, emphasizing that tariff negotiations and security issues are separate matters. "When buying equipment, we will first study what is appropriate for strengthening our defense capabilities and then decide on the specific model and quantity," he said, adding his ministry will work together with other authorities to tackle tariff-related issues. Nakatani's remarks came a day after Japan's chief tariff negotiator said purchases of U.S. defense equipment may help reduce the trade deficit, indicating it could be used as a bargaining chip in bilateral talks about the levies. Akazawa, known as a close aide to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, told reporters in the United States that he will meet with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the point man for the negotiations, and other senior officials possibly Friday. Nakatani, meanwhile, is scheduled to talk with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the three-day Asia Security Summit, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore from Friday, his ministry said. Related coverage: Japan defense equipment outlays may ease U.S. trade gap: tariff chief
The Mainichi
a day ago
- Business
- The Mainichi
Japan rules out defense deal in return for US tariff easing
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan has no intention of purchasing defense equipment from the United States in return for the easing of tariff measures, a minister said Friday, in the run-up to a fourth round of bilateral trade talks. Such a purchase would be "something that should be considered based on what is necessary for the peace of our country," Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said at a press conference, emphasizing that tariff negotiations and security issues are separate matters. "When buying equipment, we will first study what is appropriate for strengthening our defense capabilities and then decide on the specific model and quantity," he said, adding his ministry will work together with other authorities to tackle tariff-related issues. Nakatani's remarks came a day after Japan's chief tariff negotiator said purchases of U.S. defense equipment may help reduce the trade deficit, indicating it could be used as a bargaining chip in bilateral talks about the levies. Akazawa, known as a close aide to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, told reporters in the United States that he will meet with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the point man for the negotiations, and other senior officials possibly Friday. Nakatani, meanwhile, is scheduled to talk with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the three-day Asia Security Summit, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore from Friday, his ministry said.
Japan Today
a day ago
- Business
- Japan Today
Japan rules out defense deal in return for U.S. tariff easing
Japan has no intention of purchasing defense equipment from the United States in return for the easing of tariff measures, a minister said Friday, in the run-up to a fourth round of bilateral trade talks. Such a purchase would be "something that should be considered based on what is necessary for the peace of our country," Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said at a press conference, emphasizing that tariff negotiations and security issues are separate matters. "When buying equipment, we will first study what is appropriate for strengthening our defense capabilities and then decide on the specific model and quantity," he said, adding his ministry will work together with other authorities to tackle tariff-related issues. Nakatani's remarks came a day after Japan's chief tariff negotiator said purchases of U.S. defense equipment may help reduce the trade deficit, indicating it could be used as a bargaining chip in bilateral talks about the levies. Akazawa, known as a close aide to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, told reporters in the United States that he will meet with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the point man for the negotiations, and other senior officials possibly Friday. Nakatani, meanwhile, is scheduled to talk with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the three-day Asia Security Summit, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore from Friday, his ministry said. © KYODO
