On November 23, 2021, commencing from 1500 for approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, Minister KISHI held a meeting with General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defence of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, at the Ministry of Defense Japan. Following the meeting, a signing ceremony was held for the “Memorandum between the Ministry of Defense of Japan and the Ministry of National Defence of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on Cybersecurity Cooperation” and the “Memorandum between the Ministry of Defense of Japan and the Ministry of National Defence of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on Cooperation in the Field of Military Medicine” in the presence of Minister Kishi and Minister Giang.
At the outset, Minister Kishi welcomed Minister Giang to Japan. He stated that this occasion marked the third Japan-Vietnam Defense Ministers’ Meeting between the pair, including most recently in September 2021 in Vietnam, which clearly demonstrates the robust and close ties that exist between Japan and Vietnam. In response, Minister Giang expressed his appreciation to Japan for accommodating his visit. Then, the Ministers each spoke about the significance of Japan-Vietnam defense cooperation, which was redefined at the last Japan-Vietnam Defense Ministers’ Meeting in September 2021, not just as cooperation for the benefit of Japan and Vietnam, but also for more proactively contributing to the peace and stability of the region and the international community. They reached a consensus to make specific efforts under this “Japan-Vietnam Defense Cooperation at the New Level.”
Based on the achievements at the Japan-Vietnam Defense Ministers’ Meeting in September 2021, the Ministers reconfirmed the promotion of further cooperation in the field of peacekeeping operations. In this context, Minister Giang requested that Japan share knowledge to assist Vietnamese preparation to participate in UNISFA. Minister Kishi expressed his strong appreciation to Vietnam for its proactive stance towards the peace and stability in the international community through its participation in peacekeeping operations. In response to Minister Giang’s request, Minister Kishi stated that Japan will provide necessary cooperation, including dispatching Japanese experts comprising mainly of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s personnel to Vietnam.
The Ministers welcomed the signing of the “Memorandum between the Ministry of Defense of Japan and the Ministry of National Defence of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on Cybersecurity Cooperation” and the “Memorandum between the Ministry of Defense of Japan and the Ministry of National Defence of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on Cooperation in the Field of Military Medicine.” They consented to promote discussion to embody cooperation based on these Memoranda. The Ministers shared the view that they will continue to accelerate consultations for the transfer of specific equipment including naval vessels and related equipment in light of the Japan-Vietnam Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement signed in September 2021.
Minister Kishi reemphasized the view that the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)” and “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” share fundamental principles, and stated that Japan?Vietnam defense cooperation reaching a “New Level” holds great importance for realizing AOIP and FOIP. The Ministers shared the view that, in accordance with “Japan-Vietnam Defense Cooperation at the New Level,” Japan and Vietnam will continue to engage closely to organize the “Japan-ASEAN Cyber Security Training Program for Defense Authorities” announced by Minister Kishi at the 6th Japan-ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting, including future possibilities to host an event at the Army Software Park in Nha Trang, Vietnam.
