MEETINGS WITH FOREIGN LEADERS

The Japan–Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting held and ACSA signed at

the Japan–Australia “2+2” Meeting
On May 19, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa and the Senator
Hon. John Faulkner, Minister for Defence, Australia, held a Japan-
Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting at the Ministry of Defense in
Tokyo. Two ministers exchanged views on international peace
cooperation, defense cooperation between Japan and Australia,
recognition about China and so on. The two ministers concurred on
the recognition that Japan–Australia defense relations have entered
upon more practical and definite phase of cooperation.

Japan–Australia Defense Cooperation

At the third Japan–Australia Joint Foreign and

Defense Ministerial Consultations (“2+2”) on
May 19, the Japan–Australia Acquisition and
Cross–Servicing Agreement (ACSA) was signed.
The ACSA calls for the reciprocal provision of
goods and services during joint exercises, peace-
keeping operations (PKOS), international relief
activities, and transportation of its own citizens
in overseas emergencies and so on. This ACSA
will take effect once it is approved by the
Diet/Parliament of the two countries. And this is
the second ACSA after the one Japan signed with
the U.S.
At the Japan–Australia Defense Ministerial
Meeting held before the “2+2”, Defence Minister
Faulkner said that the signing of the ACSA was
Defense Minister Kitazawa, Foreign Minister Okada,
Defence Minister Faulkner,Foreign Minister Smith at joint
press conference after “2+2” Meeting.
The Japan–Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting
an example that efforts for the expansion of
defense cooperation between the two countries
have borne fruits. He also stated that he would
like to enhance joint exercises, including those
for the actual utilization of the ACSA, as well as
to consider the expansion of areas of cooperation
in future. Defense Minister Kitazawa responded
that he expected cooperation activities between
the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and Austra-
lia Defence Force (ADF) in the Pacific Partner-
ship 2010 (PP10) in which SDF and ADF would
take part this year.
At the meeting, the two ministers also reached
a common understanding about the international
security situation and deepening cooperation.
They exchanged views on their respective mat-
ters, such as defense policies (the current status
of revisions to the National Defense Program
Guidelines (NDPG) and revisions to the Defense
White Paper of Australia, etc.), PKO ( dispatch-
ing of personnel to the United Nations Integrated
Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT)), defense
cooperation (disaster relief and humanitarian
assistance activities), and the regional security
situation (activities of the Chinese Navy).
Explanation of terminology
Japan–Australia Acquisition and
Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA)
The basic principle of the Acquisition and
Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) is that if
either side requests the provision of goods
or services, the other side should provide
these goods or services. The agreement is
designed to establish a framework for the
SDF and Australian Defence Forces to
supply each other with the goods and
services needed when they undertake U.N.
peacekeeping operations, international
disaster relief and humanitarian assistance
activities, joint exercises and so on.
The categories of supplies and services
as provided under the Agreement include:
food; water: billeting; transportation; petro-
leum; repair and maintenance; spare parts
and components; maintenance; and medical
services (provision of weapons and ammu-
nition is excluded from the framework).

Japan–India Defense Ministerial Meeting Held in India

On April 30, Minister of Defense Kitazawa, who
visited India upon the official invitation of
Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony, held the
second Japan–India Defense Ministerial Meeting
since he took up office as Minister of Defense.
At the meeting, the two ministers exchanged
opinions on regional security situation in
Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and North Korea,
on maritime security, and on bilateral defense
Defense Minister Kitazawa receiving a welcome by the Indian
Defence Minister Antony.
cooperation and exchanges. The two
ministers shared the view to 1) hold
annual mutual visit between defense
ministers–and the Indian Defence
Minister will visit Japan in 2011, 2)
conduct joint exercise between the
MSDF and the Indian Navy by 2011,
3) develop further bilateral coopera-
tion for anti-piracy operations in the
Gulf of Aden, and 4) strengthen
Japan–India bilateral defense coop-
eration and exchanges in various
fields and at various levels, such as
joint exercises, staff talks between
GSDF and Indian Army, and, between
MSDF and Indian Navy, mutual
exchanges of students and research-
ers, maritime security, peace-keeping
and peace-building, disaster relief and
counter-terrorism.
The Japan-India Defense Ministerial Meeting

2 MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
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 MEETINGS WITH FOREIGN LEADERS

Meeting with the President of Timor-Leste

Support via Human Resource Development for the New Country
On March 15, Defense Minister Toshimi
Kitazawa welcomed President José Ramos-Horta
of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste at the
Ministry of Defense. President Ramos-Horta
expressed his gratitude for Japan's accepting
students from Timor-Leste to the National
Defense Academy.
Four students from the country have been
accepted for the first time since April 2010.
During the Meeting, President Ramos-Horta
expressed his notion to strengthen maritime
defense capabilities and said that, “We have been
requesting the United States, Australia and Indo-
nesia to cooperate in enhancing maritime defense
capabilities. We would also like Japan to support
us, if possible.” Regarding the armed forces, he
said, “We would like to build it in a manner like
the SDF, not for combat or aggression. We want
to develop units and human resources so that
they can contribute to world peace through
humanitarian assistance, PKOs and so on.” In
response, Defense Minister Kitazawa strongly
agreed to the idea of building the armed forces President Ramos-Horta expressing his gratitude on the acceptance of the students and exchanging views with Defense
with the same spirit as the SDF and pledged the Minister Kitazawa over facilitating exchanges and other issues.
cooperation.

Ministry of Defense Entrance Ceremony
The recruits for FY2010 pledging their oath at entrance
ceremony of the Ministry of Defense
On April 1, the Ministry of Defense held the
entrance ceremony for 124 new civilian person-
nel. Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, Parlia-
mentary Senior Vice-Minister of Defense
Kazuya Shimba, and Parliamentary Vice-
Ministers of Defense, Akihisa Nagashima and
Daizo Kusuda attended the ceremony. Defense
Minister Kitazawa stated his instruction that “I
TOPICS
would like to ask each of you not only to commit Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense
yourself to your own assignment alone, but also Nakae stated hopefully that “Too much reliance
to share your motivation and enthusiasm with on precedents will not bear fruit. I want you to
other members to resolve difficulties and work cultivate your modesty to listen with sincerity to
with in unity in order to dedicate to your country. anyone and the tolerance to accept different opin-
Since national defense is the cornerstone of a ions, as well as to try anything without fear of
country's existence, I hope that you will always failure.”
be aware of your great and serious responsibili-
ties, while actively dedicating yourselves to your
duties,” quoting a passage from a classical Chi-
nese poetry anthology Toshisen, saying “Feel
other person's spirits in your life/Fame is not an
issue” to express his feelings. Administrative
Vice-Minister of Defense Kimito Nakae deliv-
ered the letters of appointment to the recruits,
then, a representative of them emphatically
swore that “We will do our best to complete our
duties at the risk of our own lives.”
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa delivering his instruction

Dispatch of Instructor to Egypt PKO Center

From April 10 to 17, the Ministry of Defense
dispatched a SDF officer as an instructor, to the
“Cairo Regional Center for Training on Conflict
Resolution and Peacekeeping in Africa” in
Egypt, on a request from this center. This center
hosted lectures for approximately 25 military
personnel and police officers from some African
nations, on the subjects of international laws
such as the Geneva Convention and the conven-
tion relating to the status of refugees, and inter-
national cooperation activities between interna-
tional organizations such as PKOs , UNHCR and
NGOs. Lieutenant Colonel Misa Nakagawa is
t h e f i r s t f e m a l e G S D F o ff i c e r w h o w a s
dispatched to the center as an instructor. She has
a rich experience in international cooperation
activities that she had been transferred to the
Secretariat of the International Peace Coopera-
tion Headquarters of the Cabinet Office, and had
served as an liaison and coordination personnel
in the International Peace Cooperation Assign-
ment in the Golan Heights, and as an election
observer in Timor-Leste peacekeeping opera-
tions. The African nations have been trying to
solve various problems they face with their own
efforts. This dispatch supported their efforts, and
was expected to be of great significance for Lieutenant Colonel Misa Nakagawa delivering a lecture
promoting peace and stability in Africa. at the center.

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MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS 3
 TOPICS

Discussion starts toward the diversion of aircraft developed by the Ministry

of Defense to civilian use
The first meeting to discuss the diversion of
aircraft developed by the Ministry of Defense to
civilian use was held on April 23. Participants at
the meeting (chaired by Director-General for
Acquisition Reform Ministry of Defense Yoshi-
yuki Iwai) were as follows: the directors of
equipment and technology-related divisions from
the Internal Bureau and each Staff Office,
relevant private sectors like ShinMaywa Indus-
tries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the Society of
Japanese Aerospace Companies, experts and offi-
cials from Graduate School of Tokyo University,
METI, MLIT and JAXA. Defense Minister
Kitazawa stated that “Development of the diver-
sion to civilian use will contribute to maintain
and strengthen productive and technological
bases, and to reduce the cost of defense equip-
ment” , and “The diversion of aircraft developed
by the Ministry of Defense to civilian use is
The first meeting of the diversion of the aircraft developed by the Ministry of Defense to civilian use.
surely significant to the countries in Southeast
Asia as well, which have many islands, and The aircraft targeted for the diversion to civil- Ministry of Defense to civilian use, and the
might be to be praised internationally.” And the ian use are the US-2 search and rescue amphib- outline of the aircraft. The manufacturing compa-
Minister expressed his opinion that “We can ian plane, the XP-1 next-generation patrol nies explained the features of the aircraft, the
explore a new path while observing the Three aircraft, and the XC-2 next-generation transpor- ideas of diversion to personnel transport and
Principles on Arms Exports.” It was agreed that tation aircraft. During the meeting, the Ministry multipurpose amphibian plane, and challenges for
the meeting be planned to be held monthly, and a of Defense explained the background of the con- implementation such as export-related procedures.
report be planned to be issued in this summer. cept of the diversion of aircraft developed by the

Participation in Pacific Partnership 2010

From May 23 to July 15, a total of approximately
220 Japanese personnel participated in the
Pacific Partnership 2010, hosted by the U.S.
Pacific Command, including about 40 members
of joint medical team which consisted of medi-
cal, dental, pharmaceutical and nursing officers
from Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense
Forces, and 22 civilian members of NGOs
providing medical and disaster relief. The trans-
port vessel “Kunisaki” (approximately 160 crew
members) supported the activities.
Participating in PP2010 has important purposes
to promote mutual understanding and coopera-
tive relationship between partner nations, to
improve the international security environment,
and to help strengthen the Japan-U.S. Security
Arrangements. Furthermore, participation will
also serve to improve the medical and transport
proficiency and skills for the SDF in carrying out
international disaster relief activities and interna-
tional peace cooperation operations. In addition,
it will lead to securing meaningful opportunities
to learn know-how for coordinating and collabo-
rating with civilian organizations.
Medical Treatment in Combodia

U.S.Navy hospital ship USNS “Mercy” (left), LST “Kunisaki” (center), MSDF's two LCACs heading for Cmanbodia.

4 MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
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 CURRENT NEWS

Disaster Relief Assistance to Haiti Continues

The first unit of the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) International Relief
Team to Haiti, which had been engaged in the reconstruction assistance for Haiti,
on which a major earthquake had wrecked havoc in January 2010, transferred its
command to the second unit on March 18 (local time). The second unit took over
the peacekeeping operations (PKOS) of the first unit, which had completed its
mission of the removal of rubble from an art museum in the capital. Almost all
personnel of the first unit returned to Japan by March 24. The second unit has
worked on the earthquake inspection of the U.N. facilities and construction of the
camp site, as well as rubble removal in the capital. In addition, currently it has
been engaged in the activities like road repairs connecting Haiti to neighboring
Dominican Republic, construction of the retaining walls and drainage facilities on Second Unit Commander Colonel Fukunaga receiving the unit flag from First Unit
Commander Colonel Yamamoto
refugee camps, reclamation to expand logistical facilities for the United Nations
Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), and transport assistance for the Brazilian Army’s camp. The Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF)’ s airlift unit, con-
sisting of three C-130H aircraft, also transported personnel (975 people) and supplies (approximately 70 tons) in 29 roundtrips between Haiti and U.S. air
force base in Miami, from January 17 to March 22. With the mission completed, and as there was no longer a need for emergency airlift, this unit returned to
Japan at the end of March. Since then, the ASDF has been alerted within Japan for the next missions.

Repairs of Refugee Camps and Other Facilities by the Second Unit, which Took Over mission
from the First Unit
On March 18, Colonel Masashi Fukunaga, the
commander of the second unit (350 members) of
the International Relief Team to Haiti received
the unit flag from Colonel Masaharu Yamamoto,
the commander of the first unit, and took over
the PKO mission. Before departing from Japan,
Lieutenant Colonel Komatsu, the member of the
second unit said, “We would like to succeed to
the missions of the first unit and hope to contrib-
ute to giving support with a good care with the
viewpoint of the local people.”
On March 19, the GSDF unit completed the
mission of removing rubble from an art museum
in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. They also
worked on the earthquake inspection of the U.N.
facilities and have been constructing the camp site.
The first unit successively returned to Japan in
line with the arrival of the second unit to Haiti.
On March 24, almost all personnel came back to
Japan except a small number of necessary
personnel who stayed there for the smooth transi-
tion to the second unit. On March 26, the
dismissal ceremony of the first unit was held at
GSDF Camp Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture.
The second unit has been working on remov-
ing rubble from collapsed buildings in the city of
Port-au-Prince, repairing the road leading into
the neighboring Dominican Republic, construct-
ing retaining walls and drainage facilities in refu-
gee camps, reclaiming the expansion of the logis-
tical facilities for United Nations Stabilization
Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and providing
transport assistance for the Brazilian Army whose
camp is adjacent to the second unit’s camp.
With the loss of many PKO personnel due to
the earthquake, the United Nations requested the
international community to send earthquake
experts. In response to this, the Ministry of
Defense (MOD) dispatched three engineering
officials who are qualified in Japan to be as
first-class registered architects. They started the
resistance testing for the United Nations-related
facilities from March 12. After testing 40 build-
ings over one-month period, they returned to
Japan at the end of April.
*The activities mentioned above were conducted
between February and May, 2010.
Description of the SDF’s PKO
Activities in Haiti
A major magnitude 7 earthquake hit Haiti on
January 13 (Japan time)., On January 20,
the MOD decided to dispatch a Disaster
Relief Medical Assistance Team from the
Middle Army, Ground Self-Defense Force.
On January 21, the team departed for the
disaster area. On January 25, the govern-
ment conveyed to the U.N. its intention to
dispatch an engineering unit to the United
Nations’ Peacekeeping Operations
(MINUSTAH). On February 5, the Japanese
Government made a cabinet decision
regarding the “Plan for Implementation of
International Peace Cooperation Assignment
in Haiti” . Following this decision, Defense
Minister Kitazawa on the same day issued
an “Order for Self-Defense Forces Opera-
tions for Implementation of International
Peace Cooperation Assignment in Haiti.”

Anti-piracy Operations off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden
Replacement by 5th Surface Unit
The 4th surface unit engaged in anti-piracy
operations was replaced by the 5th surface unit
commanded by Captain Yasuhiko Shinomura, the
commander of the 1st Escort Division. The 5th
surface unit destroyer “Yuugiri” (Commanding
Officer: Commander Toru Suzuki) departed from
Ominato Base on May 8. And another 5th
surface unit destroyer “Murasame”
(Commanding Officer: Commander Masataka
Kanno) also left Yokosuka Base on May 10. The
5th surface unit began the 142nd (the 101st
under the Anti-Piracy Measures Law) escort
operation on June 5. The 5th surface unit consists
of about 420 personnel and 8 Japan Coast Guard
Officers are on board, too.
DEFENSE POLICY
Escort Operations performed by the Surface Unit
・March
1. Number of escort operations: 10 (The 112th -
121st escort operation)
(The 71st to the 80th escorts operation under
Japan’ s Anti-Piracy Measures Law)
2. Number of escorted vessels: 75 (Accumulated
total of 627 escorted vessels since the start of
operations under Japan’ s Anti-Piracy Measures
Law )
[Breakdown]
Japanese-registered ships: 1 (Accumulated total
of 5 escorted vessels under Japan’ s Anti-Piracy
Measures Law )
Foreign ships operated by Japanese shipping
companies: 16 (Accumulated total of 175
escorted vessels under Japan’ s Anti-Piracy
Measures Law )
(No Japanese citizens was on board)
Foreign ships other than above: 58 (Accumulated
total of 447 escorted vessels under Japan’ s
Anti-Piracy Measures Law )
* The above record does not include the 1st-41st
escort operation performed as Maritime Security
Activities, which were performed before the
establishment of the Anti-Piracy Measures Law.
** If the Anti-Piracy Measures Law had not come
into force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
destroyers would not have been able to legally
escort 58 of the 75 escorted vessels (the 58
foreign ships not operated by Japanese shipping
companies).

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MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
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 DEFENSE POLICY
3. Instances when Japanese destroyers provided
information to other nations’ warships and/or
commercial ships
・On March 19, before the Japanese destroyers
started their 118th escort mission, they received
information from a commercial ship, which was
supposed to join the convoy on, two small ships
were approaching to the commercial ship. A
Japanese helicopter was engaged in patrol
operations when it confirmed the small ships.
However, it did not find anything particularly
suspicious, so reported as such to the commer-
cial ship.
・On March 29, during their 121st escort mis-
sion, Japanese destroyers received information
from relevant organizations that a Panama –reg-
istered commercial ship “Iceberg 1”, which had
not joined the convoy, was hijacked by pirates.
Later on, a Japanese helicopter that was based
on the destroyer “Onami” was engaged in patrol
operations for the convoy when it detected the
hijacked commercial ship, and reported to
relevant countries and organizations. After that,
the helicopter returned to the destroyer.
・April
1.Number of escort operations: 10 (The 122nd –
131st escort operation)
(The 81st to 90th escorts operation under
Japan’ s Anti-Piracy Measures Law)
2.Number of escorted vessels: 86 (Accumulated
total of 713 escorted vessels since the start of
operations under Japan’s Anti-Piracy Measures
Law )
[Breakdown]
Japanese-registered ships: 3 (Accumulated total
of 8 escorted vessels under Japan’s Anti-Piracy
Measures Law )
Foreign ships operated by Japanese shipping
companies: 24 (Accumulated total of 199
escorted vessels under Japan’s Anti-Piracy Mea-
sures Law )
(Out of the 24 foreign ships, Japanese citizens
were on board 3 ships)
Replacement by the 4th Air Unit
The 3rd air unit which had performed flight
operations was taken over by the 4th air unit. The
4th air unit, commanded by Captain Yasuharu
Kimura, consists of about 150 personnel from the
Maritime Self-Defense Force and mainly from
the regiment of Central Readiness Force, the
Ground Self-Defense Force. The 4th air unit has
began its operation since June 8.
Activities of P-3C Patrol Aircraft
・March
1.Number of flights: 24 (Accumulated total :183)
2.Flight hours Accumulated: Approximately 190
(Accumulated total: approximately 1,440)
3.Number of visually confirmed commercial
ships: Approximately 1,500 (Accumulated total:
approximately 12,300)
4.Number of times information provided to Japa-
nese destroyers, foreign warships, and/or com-
mercial ships: Approximately 250 (Accumulate
total: approximately 1,400)
5. Instances when Japanese P-3C provided infor-
mation to other nations’ warships and/or com-
mercial ships
・On March 24, a Japanese P-3C was engaged
in patrol operations when it received informa-
6 MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
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201 0 N o . 1 8
Foreign ships other than above: 59 (Accumulated
total of 506 escorted vessels under Japan’s Anti-
Piracy Measures Law)
* The above record does not include the 1st-41st
escort operation performed as Maritime Secu-
rity Activities, which were performed before the
establishment of the Anti-Piracy Measures Law.
** If the Anti-Piracy Measures Law had not
come into force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense
Force destroyers would not have been able to
legally escort 56 of the 86 escorted vessels(the
56 foreign ships not operated by Japanese ship-
ping companies).
・May
1.Number of escort operations: 10 (The 132nd -
141st escort operation)
(The 91st to the 100th escorts operation under
Japan’s Anti-Piracy Measures Law)
2.Number of escorted vessels: 101 (Accumulated
total of 814 escorted vessels since the start of
operations under Japan’ s Anti-Piracy Measures
Law )
[Breakdown]
Japanese-registered ships: 0 (Accumulated total
of 8 escorted vessels under Japan’s Anti-Piracy
Measures Law )
Foreign ships operated by Japanese shipping
companies: 22 (Accumulated total of 221
escorted vessels under Japan’ s Anti-Piracy Mea-
sures Law )
(Out of the 22 foreign ships, a Japanese citizens
was on board 1 ship)
Foreign ships other than above: 79 (Accumulated
total of 585 escorted vessels under Japan’ s Anti-
Piracy Measures Law )
* The above record does not include the 1st-41st
escort operation performed as Maritime Secu-
rity Activities, which were performed before the
establishment of the Anti-Piracy Measures Law.
** If the Anti-Piracy Measures Law had not
come into force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense
Force destroyers would not have been able to
legally escort 79 of the 101 escorted vessels
tion from relevant organizations regarding the
presence of three small ships that had attacked
a commercial ship, and therefore the P-3C
investigated the area. Though the P-3C was
unable to identify those ships, it confirmed the
location of a group of fishing vessels, in which
the three small ships could be present. The
P-3C reported this to nearby warships and
returned to patrol operations.
・April
1.Number of flights: 25 (Accumulated total:
208)
2.Flight hours: Approximately 190
(Accumulated total: approximately 1,630 )
3. Number of visually confirmed commercial
ships: Approximately 1,700 (Accumulated
total: approximately 14,000)
4.Number of times information provided to
destroyers, and foreign warships, and/or com-
mercial ships: Approximately 250
(Accumulate total: approximately 1,650)
5. Instances when Japanese P-3C provided
information to other nations’ warships and/or
commercial ships
Nothing particular was reported.
JMSDF’ s P-3C in patrol operation.
(the 79 foreign ships not operated by Japanese
shipping companies).
3. Instances when Japanese destroyers provided
information to other nations’ warships and/or
commercial ships
・On May 4, at 5:46pm(Japan Standard Time), a
Japanese helicopter based on the destroyer
“Onami” was engaged in patrol operations for
the 133rd escorted convoy when it detected a
suspicious boat that was located approximately
ten nautical miles north of the convoy(12 com-
mercial ships) and carried a ladder-like item.
The destrpyer “Onami” warmed the boat of its
presence via VHF radio and Long Range
Acoustic Device to prevent any acts of piracy,
and radiated a searchlight on it. The helicopter
continued monitoring the boat and provided this
information to relevant countries and organiza-
tions. Afterwards, a Greek warship that had
received information dispatched her ship-based
h e l i c o p t e r. T h i s i n c i d e n t w a s o ff i c i a l l y
announced on May 4.
* Later on, the Greek warship fired warning
shots and stopped the boat from trying to flee.
While the boat tried to escape, the crew of the
boat was seen to dispose of some items. After
the Greek warship conducted an on-board
inspection, the boat was released.
・May
1.Number of flights: 25 (Accumulated total: 233)
2.Flight hours: Approximately 190 (Accumulated
total: approximately 1,820 )
3.Number of visually confirmed commercial
ships: Approximately 1,600 (Accumulated total:
approximately 15,600)
4.Number of times information provided to Japa-
nese destroyers, foreign warship, and/or com-
mercial ships: Approximately 200 (Accumulated
total: approximately 1,850)
5. Instances when Japanese P-3C provided infor-
mation to other nations’ warships and/or com-
mercial ships
・On May 15, a Japanese P-3C was engaged in
patrol operations when it detected a suspicious
small-sized anchored boat on the Internation-
ally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). It
carried two outboard engines and an item or
items hidden under a plastic cover. The P-3C
reported as such to nearby warships. An Italian
warship took over surveillance activities and the
P-3C returned to patrol operations.
 S P E C I A L F E AT U R E

The Second Meeting of Senior Defense Officials on Common Security Challenges

in the Asia-Pacific Region
On March 25 and 26, in Tokyo, the Ministry of Defense hosted “The Second Meeting of Senior Defense Officials on Common Security Challenges in
the Asia-Pacific Region”, with vice-ministerial-level defense officials from the ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretariat. The “Tokyo-Seminar
on Common Security Challenges” was held with experts’ attendance from both Japan and foreign countries.

Group photo of the participants for the Meeting.

Sharing views to strengthen trust and cooperation in the area of defense

The second meeting of senior defense officials
on common security challenges in the Asia-
Pacific region was held on Thursday, March 25,
2010 in Tokyo.
Participants were from Brunei, Cambodia, Indo-
nesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singa-
Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense Nakae chaired the Meeting.
pore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Ambassador
from Myanmar attended the meeting as an observer.
During the meeting, the participants construc-
tively discussed common regional security chal-
lenges: the first agenda was “non-traditional
security challenges, including maritime security,
disaster relief, peacekeeping and peace-
building,” and the second agenda was “Building
an Asia-Pacific Architecture for Security Coop-
eration.”
On the first agenda, participants shared their
experiences, know-how regarding maritime secu-
rity, disaster relief and PKO through discussion.
The participants agreed that non-traditional secu-
rity issues cannot be dealt with by only one
country, and that it is necessary to strengthen
international cooperation and to improve capa-
bilities in the region through the efforts such as
sharing experiences and joint exercises.
On the second agenda, participants discussed
frameworks of security cooperation in the Asia-
Pacific region, such as ADMM-Plus, and future
prospects of cooperation. The participants agreed
that it is necessary to continue a series of efforts
toward stabilizing the security environment in
the region through a multilayered combination of
multilateral frameworks, taking into account the
various features of existing frameworks for secu-
rity cooperation.
Participants deepened mutual understanding
on respective views regarding common regional
security challenges. They all recognized and
shared the view that dialogue of this kind is truly
beneficial for forging a foundation for stronger
bilateral and multilateral ties based on mutual
trust and cooperation.

The Second Meeting of Senior Defense Officials on Common Security Challenges in the Asia-Pacific Region was held on March 25 in Tokyo.

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 S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
For Peace and safety in the Asia-Pacific region,
through mutual understanding among participating nations
Mr. Nishihara, President of the Research Institute for Peace
and Security, chaired the Seminar
Good and close relationships in individual meetings enhanced
On March 25 and 26, Administrative Vice-
Minister of Defense Kimito Nakae also had
several bilateral talks with Mr. Majid, Permanent
Secretary Ⅱ, Ministry of Defense, Brunei, Gen-
eral Phat, Secretary of State for Ministry of
National Defense, Cambodia, Lieutenant General
Sjafrie, Vice-Minister of Defence, Ministry of
Defence, Indonesia, Brigade General Sisophonh,
Cambodia
Malaysia
8 MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
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August
201 0 N o . 1 8
The Tokyo-Seminar on Common Security Chal-
lenges held on March 26 was chaired by Masashi
Nishihara, President of the Research Institute for
Peace and Security (Former President, the
National Defense Academy). The second seminar
in Tokyo was organized with the objects of
discussing “common security challenges in the
region” , “measures to promote regional coopera-
tion in dealing with common challenges” and
“the role of defense authorities in regional coop-
eration and their responses for promoting
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National
Defense, Laos, Mr. Abu Bakar, Secretary Gen-
eral, Ministry of Defence, Malaysia, Mr. Santos,
Undersecretary for Defense Affairs, Department
of National Defense, Philippines, and Lieutenant
General Vinh, Deputy Director Minister of
National Defense, Viet Nam.
Indonesia
Philippins
The 2nd Tokyo-Seminar on Common Security Challenges.
regional cooperation”. And another object of this
seminar was to contribute to improve security
environment, and encourage a dialogue and
cooperation in the region. In the first session,
“Climate Change and the Role of the Armed
Forces” , and in the second session “Building an
Asia-Pacific Architecture for Security Coopera-
tion.” Directors from research institutes and
defense officials from Japan, Indonesia, the U.K.
and the U.S. discussed and exchanged their views.
Brunei
Laos
Viet Nam