Overview
- Defense Minister Minoru Koizumi met New Zealand’s Defense Minister Judith Collins in Kuala Lumpur, where Collins expressed interest in acquiring the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Mogami-class FFM for the New Zealand Navy.
- Koizumi said Tokyo would move discussions forward after Collins indicated she wants a bilateral Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement concluded as early as December.
- Japan and New Zealand also agreed to step up cooperation with Pacific island countries.
- In a separate first meeting with China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun, Koizumi conveyed serious concern over increased Chinese military activity in the East China Sea and the Pacific, and both sides affirmed the importance of defense dialogue and proper hotline use to avoid incidents.
- Koizumi also met Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles, with both sharing deep concern about Chinese actions in the South China Sea.