Japan, Philippines agree to strengthen security cooperation in first 2-plus-2 meeting
17:13 JST, April 9, 2022
Japan and the Philippines held a 2-plus-2 meeting of their foreign and defense chiefs for the first time at the Foreign Ministry’s Iikura Guest House in Tokyo on Saturday morning.
With China’s maritime expansion in mind, the two sides agreed to strengthen their security cooperation to realize a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The meeting was attended by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, and Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
“Cooperation between Japan and the Philippines, both maritime nations, is becoming increasingly important,” Hayashi said, pointing out that China was continually attempting to unilaterally change the status quo in the East and South China Sea.
A contract has been signed for Mitsubishi Electric Corp. to export air defense radar to the Philippines, with delivery scheduled for 2023. Further cooperation over defense equipment and technology is expected, and the two sides agreed to promote cooperation.
They also exchanged views on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Philippines is the ninth country with which Japan has held a 2-plus-2 meeting, and the second among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, following Indonesia.
"Politics" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Ishiba Favored by Older Voters, Koizumi by Young in LDP Presidential Race, Says Poll
-
Japan’s LDP Presidential Candidates Time Announcements of Runs; Better to Gain Attention Now or Quietly Build Support?
-
Japanese Government Tells Australia of Willingness to Cooperate in Building Warships; New Model Based on Mogami-Class Frigate
-
Japan’s Ishiba Announces Final Bid for LDP President; Ishiba Vows to Establish LDP that Will ‘Abide by the Rules’
-
LDP Koizumi to Announce Presidential Bid Sept. 6
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Philippines Steps Up Defense of Northernmost Province with Eye on Possible Contingency Involving Taiwan
- Typhoon Shanshan Forms, Slowly Moves Toward Japan; Govt Says Typhoon No. 10 Likely to Approach Japan Next Week
- Tokyo Companies Prepare for Ashfall From Mt. Fuji Eruption; Disposal Of Ash, Possibly at Sea, A Major Challenge
- Shizuoka Pref. City Offers Foreigners Free Japanese Language Classes; Aims to Raise Non-Natives to Daily Conversation Level
- Typhoon No. 10 Forecast to Develop; Move into Pacific Ocean South of Japan on Aug. 26