PH, Japan Defense Ministers Meet to Discuss Regional Security

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday and Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi in Tokyo met in person for the first time Thursday in Tokyo ahead of the inaugural Philippines-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (2-Plus-2) that is set on Saturday.

According to DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong, this will be the first time the two defense ministers will meet in person after being able to meet through virtual channels twice already.

Both defense ministers exchanged their views on security matters in the region and discussed means to further enhance cooperation between the two countries bilaterally and multilaterally with other nations.

Moreover, Lorenzana also emphasized the Philippines’ position regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Lorenzana added that all concerned parties resort to the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement on International Disputes.

East China Sea, West Philippine Sea, and Taiwan Strait issues

During the meeting, both ministers agreed to strengthen further the collaboration of the Philippines and Japan for maritime security issues in the region.

This comes as China, who is in the midst of a long-standing dispute with the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea, is also in a long-standing dispute with Japan over the Tensions between the contested Senkaku/Diaoyu islands.

China has also kept the rhetoric of resorting to the use of force to “reunite” Taiwan and mainland China.

Both defense ministers also called for the denuclearization of North Korea. (GFB)