Top officers from Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force and the US, Australian and Philippine armies have confirmed they will further strengthen cooperation for stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The officers met at Japan’s Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Wednesday.
GSDF Chief of Staff Gen. Morishita Yasunori said he hopes the meeting serves peace and deterrence in the region by discussing what defense cooperation the four countries can arrange in the Indo-Pacific region.
Gen. Charles Flynn, commander of the US Army Pacific, said the multilateral talks helped participants create bonds and find unity in their efforts toward the future.
The officers discussed defense cooperation, including exercises among their countries.
It was the first time for officers in such senior positions from the four countries to hold talks. The meeting comes at a time when China is stepping up its maritime activity.
The GSDF and the US Army held a large-scale command post drill from November through Wednesday, aimed at boosting preparedness for the defense of Japan. Australia joined the exercise for the first time, and the Philippines inspected it.
