Japan and New Zealand have committed to strengthen their defence ties as part of a commitment to boost their bilateral strategic partnership, following talks in Tokyo between Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his visiting New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern.
Despite a shaky start to the NZ Prime Minister’s visit, with Ardern mixing up which Asian country she was visiting (accidentally calling Japan, China), the productive meeting is undoubtedly a boost for the Indo-Pacific region.
In a joint statement, the two nations confirmed that they have “reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the security and defence relationship”, highlighting the positive characterisation of the bilateral defence relationship in both Japan’s National Defense Program Guidelines for FY 2019 and Beyond and New Zealand’s Strategic Defence Policy Statement 2018.
Specifically, Japan and New Zealand committed to “working proactively together to maintain and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region for ensuring a free, open and rules-based international order”.
The intentions of Japan to strengthen its relationship with New Zealand has been prominent for some time, with Tokyo mentioning that it would promote efforts, including joint training and exercises as well as bilateral collaboration on third-party engagement in its National Defense Program Guidelines.
This commitment is in line with Australia’s close bond with Japan, which was highlighted in the JFY2019 Defense Related Budget Request, which recognises the broad importance of the Australia-Japan relationship, saying, “The Japan-US alliance as well as defence cooperation with India, Australia, ASEAN countries and other partners can work very effectively in maintaining peace and stability of Japan and the region. Japan should develop a defence capability that can further deepen and expand these endeavours.”
Japan and New Zealand also share Australia’s concern with disputes in the South China Sea, with the statement noting:
“The two leaders raised concerns about the situation in the South China Sea. They reiterated the importance of settling disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS.) The two leaders encouraged the finalisation of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) that is consistent with existing international law, including UNCLOS, and does not impinge on the rights or interests of third parties.”
“The two leaders shared their intention to remain in close communication about the situation in the East China Sea, and expressed concern about any unilateral actions which increase tensions in the area.”
Important of note, too, was the two nations’ interest in pursuing cyberspace defence measures, with the statement continuing:
“The two leaders shared the importance of developing and strengthening the rules-based system in new domains such as cyberspace and outer space, and they confirmed their shared interests in continuing to closely cooperate in these areas.
“They also decided to enhance their efforts for a free, open and secure cyberspace, including through cooperation in multilateral frameworks and a bilateral cyber security dialogue. On outer space, the two leaders confirmed the importance of implementing the Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities and took note of ongoing discussions on a bilateral memorandum on the registration of space objects. They expressed a desire to expand space cooperation between the two countries. For this purpose, they encouraged discussions on a possible partnership arrangement on bilateral space cooperation.”
