Japan and New Zealand sign Statement of Intent for closer defence cooperation particularly in Maritime Security.
Defence Ministry of Japan announced in a statement on June 4th, 2023, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, visiting Singapore to attend the 20th IISS Asia Pacific Security Conference (Shangri-La Dialogue), signed the “Statement of Intent between the Minister of Defence of New Zealand and the Minister of Defense of Japan on Defence Cooperation in Maritime Security, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief and Climate Change in the Pacific Islands Region” with Minister of Defence of New Zealand, Andrew Little.
According to the statement the two ministers welcomed the signing of the “Statement of Intent between the Minister of Defence of New Zealand and the Minister of Defense of Japan on Defence Cooperation in Maritime Security, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief and Climate Change in the Pacific Islands Region.” Furthermore, they concurred on further promoting defense cooperation in the Pacific Islands Region under the signed statement of Intent.
With the statement, Japan will further develop defense cooperation with New Zealand which is a “strategic cooperative partner” sharing common values, and together contribute to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
