Part Ⅲ Three Pillars of Japan’s Defense (Means to Achieve the Objectives of Defense) Promotion of Multilateral Security Cooperation ● Multilateral framework initiatives, such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)Plus and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) have made steady progress and served as an important foundation for dialogue and cooperation and exchanges on the security of AsiaPacific. Based on Vientiane Vision 2.0, a guideline for future ASEAN-Japan defense cooperation, in addition to bilateral cooperation, Japan has strengthened cooperation under multilateral frameworks. ● Japan has contributed to the enhancement of multilateral cooperation in the region by holding the Japan-ASEAN Defense Vice-Ministerial Forum and the Tokyo Defense Forum annually. ● Moreover, Japan has proactively participated in international conferences hosted by international organizations and private organizations, as well as service-to-service exchange initiatives. ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting (November 2019) Proactive and Strategic Initiatives for Capacity Building ● Since 2012, the MOD/SDF has provided capacity building in such areas as HA/DR, peacekeeping operations (PKO), and maritime security to 15 countries and one organization in the Asia-Pacific and other regions. ● In 2019, the number of capacity building programs conducted by means of dispatch was 126 (11 countries, 20 officials), and the number of those conducted by means of invitation was 75 (four countries, one organization and six trainees). ● Specifically, from September to October 2019, Japan has provided guidance on techniques to PNG Military Band, which participated in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Australia, hosted by the United Kingdom. In addition, Japan implemented programs in Laos, Mongolia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, Djibouti and other countries. Chief of Staff, JS Yamazaki participating in the multilateral forum Raisina Dialogue 2020 (January 2020) Ensuring Maritime Security ● For Japan, a maritime nation, strengthening the order based on fundamental norms, such as the rule of law and the freedom of navigation, as well as ensuring safe maritime transport, is the foundation for its peace and prosperity, which is extremely important. ● The SDF has been dispatching the Deployment Surface Force for Counter Piracy Enforcement, the Deployment Air Force for Counter Piracy Enforcement, and the Deployment Support Group for Counter Piracy Enforcement since 2009 in order to protect vessels from acts of piracy in the waters off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. GSDF Central Band officer providing guidance to the Papua New Guinea Military Band (September 2019) ● In addition to strengthening cooperation with coastal states of the Indo-Pacific region through exercises and port calls, the MOD has been implementing capacity building in maritime security of coastal countries, and working on cooperation for maritime security within regional security dialogue frameworks such as the ADMM-Plus. MSDF personnel leaving for counter-piracy operation off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden (November 2019) Cooperation in Use of Space and Cyber Domains ● Regarding cooperation in the use of space domain, the MOD/SDF has taken part in the annual SSA multinational tabletop exercise (Global Sentinel) and the Schriever Wargame, a multinational tabletop exercise on space security, hosted by the U.S. Forces. ● Regarding cooperation in the use of cyber domain, the MOD has held cyber dialogues with the respective defense authorities of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and others. In December 2019, Japan formally participated for the first time in the cyber defense exercise hosted by NATO, in which Japan used to participate as observer. Additionally, the SDF is expanding its scope of cooperation such as by holding a follow-up seminar for cybersecurity personnel of the People’s Army of Vietnam. 33 DEFENSE OF JAPAN 2020