Latest news with #NakataniGen
NHK
2 days ago
- General
- NHK
Japan, US, Australia to help Philippines increase defense capabilities
Defense ministers from Japan, the United States and Australia have agreed to help the Philippines increase its defense capabilities as part of their efforts to create a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The agreement was reached at a quadrilateral defense meeting held on Saturday in Singapore. Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro attended. Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Nakatani said China has been increasing its activities in the East and South China Seas. He expressed his hope to have a full debate among the four nations on defense cooperation. The four officials expressed serious concerns over China's activities causing regional instability and its attempts to change the status quo unilaterally by force or coercion. They acknowledged the need to protect the freedom of navigation and overflight. The defense ministers agreed to export equipment to the Philippines to help increase its defense capabilities. They also plan to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance activities and jointly collect information. The officials announced a joint statement confirming these issues. Ahead of this meeting, the defense ministers from Japan, the US and Australia also held trilateral talks. They agreed to carry out military exercises to test fire US Tomahawk cruise missiles and build an information-sharing mechanism for their missile defense systems.
NHK
3 days ago
- General
- NHK
Japan, US defense chiefs agree to strengthen cooperation in cyberspace
The defense chiefs of Japan and the United States have agreed to strengthen cooperation in cyberspace. The agreement was made in a meeting between Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Singapore on Saturday. It comes as the United States is drawing up a national defense strategy, which will serve as a guideline for its national security policy. Nakatani and Hegseth agreed to closely work together so that the priorities in the two countries' strategies can be aligned. Nakatani explained to Hegseth that Japan has enacted legislation to implement what is called "active cyber defense" that is designed to preempt possible cyberattacks. The two officials pledged to work together to strengthen deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-US alliance. They also agreed to coordinate on plans to hold a "two-plus-two" meeting of the foreign and defense chiefs of both countries. Nakatani was asked by reporters after the talks whether the US secretary referred to a possible increase in Japan's defense spending. The minister declined to comment on what exactly his US counterpart talked about. Nakatani said that he told Hegseth it is important for Japan to fundamentally strengthen its defense capabilities based on its own decisions and responsibilities.
CNA
3 days ago
- General
- CNA
Singapore, Japan defence ministers discuss strengthening cooperation
SINGAPORE: Japan's Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen called on his Singapore counterpart Chan Chun Sing on Saturday morning (May 31) at the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. Mr Chan welcomed Mr Nakatani back to the event, as he had attended the inaugural edition in 2002. During the meeting, both ministers reaffirmed the warm and friendly bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and Japan, said Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) in a news release. "Both sides discussed strengthening bilateral defence cooperation to tackle common challenges faced by Singapore and Japan, including enhancing research and collaboration in defence technology and cyber exchanges." As the country coordinator of ASEAN-Japan dialogue relations, Mr Chan also reiterated Singapore's commitment to work closely with Japan to enhance regional peace and security, including on the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus. "The defence establishments of Singapore and Japan also have regular high-level exchanges and close people-to-people ties strengthened by cross-attendance of courses and frequent military-to-military interactions," said MINDEF.
NHK
3 days ago
- General
- NHK
Asia security council opens in Singapore
Defense officials from Asia, the United States and Europe have opened a major security forum in Singapore. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is attending, but his Chinese counterpart skipped the three-day Shangri-La Dialogue, which started on Friday. Hegseth met with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles ahead of the forum's opening. Marles said in a social media post that they discussed their "unwavering commitment to the Indo-Pacific," among other topics. Hegseth is scheduled to meet the delegates of the participating countries, including Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen. He is also set to deliver a speech on Saturday. Analysts will be keenly watching what he says about how the Trump administration will tackle security challenges in Asia, such as those involving Taiwan and the South China Sea, where Beijing has been stepping up pressure. China's defense minister attended the past four conferences, but not this one. The country instead sent a delegation from its military academy. It also canceled a speech by its representative slated for Sunday, which is seen as an unusual step. Experts say Beijing may have wanted to avoid discussions on security issues, on which the two countries are far apart, amid uncertainties over tariff negotiations with Washington.
NHK
08-05-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Japan condemns North Korean ballistic missile launches
North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles on Thursday, according to defense authorities in Japan and South Korea. The missiles flew up to 800 kilometers before splashing down in the sea, with none entering Japan's exclusive economic zone. The Japan Coast Guard says no vessels were damaged. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the missiles were fired over the span of more than an hour beginning around 8:00 a.m., from an area near the eastern coastal city of Wonsan. It marks Pyongyang's first known ballistic missile activity since March 10. Japan protests Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen condemned the launches as a serious matter affecting public security and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Nakatani told reporters in Tokyo that Japan has lodged a protest with North Korea, and will continue to monitor the situation. He also said the Japanese government will continue working closely with the United States and South Korea to ensure the safety of people's lives and assets.
