In his opening remarks, Japanese Deputy Defense Minister Kano Koji highlighted security challenges facing the world and the region which can undermine international law. He emphasized the importance of defense cooperation in ensuring security, building trust, and fostering a peaceful and stable environment, which contributes significantly to regional and global cooperation and development. He reaffirmed Japan’s support for ASEAN’s central role and solidarity, its active participation and contribution to regional multilateral cooperation mechanisms, particularly the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).
At the conference, ASEAN delegation heads shared their viewpoints on the global and regional situation and proposed measures to enhance ASEAN-Japan defense cooperation. Under the theme “Reviewing ASEAN-Japan defense cooperation and discussing future orientation,” the conference reaffirmed the significance of initiatives proposed by the Japanese Ministry of Defense to strengthen ASEAN-Japan defense ties, including the Japan-ASEAN Ministerial Initiative for Enhanced Defense Cooperation (JASMINE). Together with other practical cooperation activities, JASMINE underscored Japan and ASEAN countries’ commitment to boosting solidarity and cooperation and addressing challenges while seeking opportunities to contribute to regional security, peace, and prosperity.
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General Chien speaks at the event. |
Addressing the conference, General Chien highlighted three key points, which are the impact of the current security environment on ASEAN-Japan defense cooperation; reviewing ASEAN-Japan defense cooperation achievements, particularly activities under the JASMINE initiative; and solutions for enhancing ASEAN-Japan defense cooperation in the time ahead.
He also praised participating countries, particularly Japan, for their positive contribution to strengthening defense ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
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Delegates in a joint photo |
Regarding ASEAN-Japan defense cooperation, General Chien stated that in 2024, Japan actively promoted comprehensive cooperation with ASEAN through various practical initiatives. The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and the Japanese Defense Ministry also co-organized the Japan-ASEAN Cybersecurity Capacity Building Program in July 2024 in Vietnam. These activities have supported ASEAN countries in enhancing their capacity to address non-traditional security challenges and significantly contributed to elevating ASEAN-Japan defense relations to a new level. The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense highly appreciated and acknowledged Japan’s efforts in implementing the JASMINE initiative and the “Vientiane Vision 2.0” for the goal of maintaining peace, security, and prosperity in the region.
The Vietnamese defense leader underscored the importance of maintaining high-level dialogues and consultations through established mechanisms, such as the ASEAN-Japan Informal Defense Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEAN-Japan Deputy Defense Ministerial Forum; continued cooperation in delegation exchanges, information sharing, and thematic conferences and seminars; and closer coordination in global and regional mechanisms to guarantee regional peace and stability, particularly in ensuring security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea (also known as South China Sea) and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, among others.
Translated by Minh Anh