Latest news with #defensecooperation
South China Morning Post
19 hours ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Will Japan's ‘near alliance' with the Philippines fuel China's suspicions?
Japan 's view that its ties with the Philippines are at a 'near-alliance status' has been welcomed as a sign of the commitment by both countries to tackle their perceived common threats, even as analysts warn that any formalisation towards deeper security cooperation could worsen regional tensions. Speaking in Tokyo on May 28, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya hailed the close partnership in the presence of Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo. Iwaya and Manalo discussed strengthening defence cooperation, including a prospective agreement for Japan and the Philippines to share classified information, according to a statement released by the Japanese embassy in Manila. They discussed the progress of the implementation of the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), a pact signed in July last year aimed at enhancing maritime security in the South China Sea amid China 's growing assertiveness in the disputed waters. The RAA allows the deployment of Japanese and Philippine forces for joint military drills in each other's territory. Both countries have also started talks on boosting economic collaboration and supply chain resiliency and working towards such an agreement.
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.
Japan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
Nakatani urges closer defense tie-ups amid erosion of rules-based order
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani called Saturday for closer defense cooperation among like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific region in order to strengthen the global rules-based order and — in an implicit criticism of China — act as a counter to countries seeking to erode the status quo. The Japanese defense chief used a speech before scores of his counterparts and military brass in Singapore at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's leading security conference, to push for closer cooperation and coordination, 'while ensuring openness, inclusiveness and transparency, with an aim of restoring a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region, strengthening accountability and promoting the international public good.' Nakatani said the need to unite on defense cooperation was clear, pointing to Russia's invasion of Ukraine — a violation of the U.N. charter — and Beijing's moves in the disputed South China Sea, including its decision to openly ignore a 2016 international arbitral tribunal ruling that dismissed the country's claim to most of the strategic waterway. Without directly naming China, Nakatani had strong words for Beijing and the precedent it has attempted to set in the South China Sea and by quickly building up its military forces and dispatching them to flash points, such as in the waters and airspace near Taiwan and Japan. 'There is a serious disregard for accountability,' Nakatani said. 'In the South China Sea, the very country that previously declared it had no intention of militarizing the area is rapidly advancing militarization. Additionally, there has been a sharp increase in military buildup, including nuclear forces lacking transparency, and provocative military activities in the region. 'This poses a significant obstacle to maintaining trust in the defense arena,' he said. Pointing to rising numbers of state-sponsored cyberattacks as well as repeated attempts to damage undersea cables crucial for communications and economic livelihoods, Nakatani also appeared to direct his fire at Beijing, saying that "some countries that do not share common values and interests are willing to attack the foundations of our society and economy for their own interests." Chinese-backed hackers are said to have been behind a number of cyberattacks on Japan, the U.S. and others, while Chinese-flagged ships have damaged or cut undersea cables in the Baltic Sea and near Taiwan. In response to these moves, Tokyo has ramped up defense cooperation and coordination with scores of countries both in the region and further afield — and has pledged to do even more. Unveiling Japan's new OCEAN (One Cooperative Effort Among Nations) initiative during his speech, Nakatani said that even more like-minded nations could work together, 'taking a comprehensive view of the Indo-Pacific region as a whole.' 'Now is the time for countries to join hands under OCEAN, engage in dialogue, and work to restore, rather than dissolve, the rules-based international order; to realize, rather than ignore, accountability; and to promote, rather than undermine, the international public good,' he said. But Nakatani also echoed French President Emmanuel Macron, who a day earlier opened the conference with a speech focused on the need to maintain a degree of 'strategic autonomy' at a time when the United States and China have demanded that countries pick a side in their growing rivalry. While saying that the Japan-U.S. alliance 'will continue to be the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the region and the world,' Nakatani also appeared to hint at the need for Tokyo to carefully calibrate its relationships, including its ties with Washington. 'There is a healthy and growing caution against excessive dependence on a single country that does not share common values and interests,' Nakatani said. 'Maintaining an appropriate level of strategic autonomy is an important foundation for maintaining stable relations in the defense field.' These tacit remarks come as Japan grapples with how best to secure its interests in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump's unpredictable approach to foreign policy. Japan has not been spared his wrath as Trump slapped both friends and foes alike with onerous tariffs while simultaneously calling long-standing alliances unfair, including Washington's security pact with Tokyo. The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, who spoke during the same panel discussion as Nakatani, also doubled down on the need for deepened cooperation, reiterating former Prime Minster Fumio Kishida's mantra that 'Ukraine today could be East Asia tomorrow.' Pointing to alleged Chinese shipments of dual-use products to Russia for its war in Ukraine and the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers for the same conflict, Kallas said that the security of Europe 'is very much interlinked' with Asia, and that defense cooperation is crucial. 'If you think that you can just focus on one region because it doesn't concern you, then I think ... you are on the wrong track,' she said. 'We can only address these big global concerns if we act together,' she added. Nakatani, for his part, welcomed the involvement of European countries, as well as NATO, in the Indo-Pacific region, expressing his intention to beef up cooperation. But, asked following his speech how the OCEAN concept related to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's idea of an 'Asian NATO,' Nakatani was coy, reiterating only that it is continuing to be discussed within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Arab News
5 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi defense minister holds talks with UK security, defense officials
LONDON: Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held talks with the UK's National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell in London on Wednesday. The two sides 'reviewed the strong friendship and strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the UK,' the Saudi Press Agency reported. 'They also reviewed areas of cooperation and discussed regional and global developments, as well as ongoing efforts to support security and stability.' The talks followed a meeting on Tuesday between Prince Khalid and British Defense Secretary John Healey during which they discussed strategic defense cooperation.
NHK
6 days ago
- Business
- NHK
Indonesia, France agree to strengthen defense ties
The leaders of Indonesia and France have held bilateral talks in Jakarta and agreed to boost defense cooperation. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday. Prabowo stressed that France is a key partner in modernizing Indonesia's defense equipment, including the development of the industry through joint production and technology transfers. The Indonesian Defense Ministry says the two nations signed defense cooperation documents. They could lead to the procurement of French fighter jets and submarines. Just days before the meeting, Prabowo met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The two agreed to deepen economic cooperation. It is believed that Indonesia is trying to balance its ties by cooperating with major European nations on defense.
