2020 DEFENSE OF JAPAN Defense White Paper DIGEST Chapter 3 Security Cooperation The MOD/SDF will create a desirable security environment for Japan by promoting multi-faceted and multi-layered security cooperation. Strategic Promotion of Multi-Faceted and Multi-Layered Defense Cooperation Efforts under the Vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” Three pillars of the vision (i) Promotion and establishment of the rule of law, freedom of navigation and free trade (ii) Pursuit of economic prosperity (improving connectivity, etc.) (iii) Commitment to peace and stability The Indo-Pacific region is the center of the world vitality, and home to more than half the world’s population. It is important to establish this region as a free and open global commons to secure peace and prosperity in the region as a whole. In order to promote a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” the MOD/SDF will strengthen defense cooperation and exchanges with countries in the region. Promotion of Defense Cooperation and Exchanges MOD’s Approach to the Vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” 1 Securing the stable use of major sea lanes by way of defense cooperation and exchange activities 2 Preventing contingencies through confidence building and mutual understanding 3 Contributing to peace and stability through active engagement in the region, in cooperation with partner countries Russia U.K. France Other European countries Canada China Middle East and Africa U.S. Japan India South Asia Pacific Ocean Southeast Asia Pacific Island countries Main sea lane Indian Ocean ● Australia: In November 2019, a Japan-Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting was held. The Ministers agreed to deepen and expand bilateral defense cooperation. ● India: In September 2019, a Japan-India Defense Ministerial Meeting was held. In November of the same year, a Defense Ministerial Meeting and the first Japan-India 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting were held. The Ministers reiterated their commitment to advance bilateral security cooperation. ● ASEAN: In November 2019, at the ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting, Vientiane Vision 2.0, an updated version of Vientiane Vision, was announced. Meetings with the defense ministers of each country were held. ● ROK: In November 2019, the ROK government announced the suspension of the notification to terminate the Japan-ROK GSOMIA. In response, Defense Minister commented that Japan-U.S. and Japan-ROK bilateral cooperation and Japan-U.S.-ROK trilateral cooperation are important amid the severe security environment in East Asia, and that he considered that the ROK government made its decision from a strategic perspective taking into account the current security situation in the region. ● European countries, Canada, and New Zealand: Meetings with the defense ministers of European countries and New Zealand were held on the occasion of the ADMM-Plus in November 2019, and meetings with the defense ministers of European countries and Canada were held at the Munich Security Conference in February 2020. In October 2019, the Chief of Staff, GSDF visited Canada for the first time. ● China: In October 2019, the Chinese vessel visited Japan for the first time in about 10 years. In December of the same year, Defense Minister visited China for the first time in 10 years and held a meeting with China’s Defense Minister. ● Russia: In August and September 2019, the GSDF band participated for the first time in the Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival in Moscow. In November of the same year, Commander-inChief of the Russian Navy visited Japan for the first time in 18 years. ● Pacific Island Countries: From January to February 2020, State Minister of Defense visited Fiji, PNG, and Tonga for the first time as a political officer of the Ministry of Defense. ● Middle Eastern Countries: Defense Minister attended the Manama Dialogue held in November and the Doha Forum in December 2019 for the first time as a Japanese Defense Minister. In addition, the Minister visited Jordan and Oman for the first time and held defense ministerial meetings. He also had telephone conversations with defense ministers of various other countries in the Middle East. Australia New Zealand Japan-Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting (November 2019) Japan-India “2+2” (November 2019) State Minister of Defense Yamamoto talking with Minister for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs of Fiji (January 2020) Digest 32