On September 13, 2024, from 2:10 p.m. for approximately 50 minutes, Defense Minister Kihara held a Defense Ministers’ Meeting with the Canadian Minister of National Defense, who was visiting Japan.
1. At the outset, Minister Kihara welcomed the Canadian’s visit to Japan and stated that he was honored to be able to meet again in Tokyo so soon after their meeting in Singapore in June.
2. The two ministers exchanged views on the regional situation and defense policies. Minister Kihara expressed strong concerns about the ballistic missile launch by North Korea yesterday morning (12th) and the intensification of Chinese military activities around Japan, particularly the recent violation of Japan’s airspace. The two ministers agreed to further strengthen cooperation against unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.
3. The two Ministers also shared the view that, given that Japan and Canada share common interests in regional situations and security, such as in the Indo-Pacific region and the Arctic, it is extremely important that there are opportunities for active dialogue and exchange, and they welcomed the increasing deepening of defense cooperation and exchanges between the two countries in recent years.
4. Furthermore, the two ministers shared the view that they would work closely together within the G7 framework, given that Canada will hold the G7 presidency next year.
5. The two Ministers agreed to work even more closely together to further deepen defense cooperation and exchanges between Japan and Canada.
