Japan’s Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius have agreed that their countries will consult with each other to consider responses as necessary to ensure regional peace and stability.
Koizumi and Pistorius held talks for about an hour at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Yokosuka base on Sunday.
At the start of the meeting, Koizumi said Pistorius’s visit to Japan, at a time when global attention is focused on the situation in Iran, demonstrates through action that the Euro-Atlantic region regards the Indo-Pacific as inseparable.
In response, Pistorius said there has never been a more important time than now for like-minded countries to strengthen their unity and for nations upholding multilateralism and a rules-based international order to act together.
Koizumi said strengthening cooperation between Japan and Germany is extremely important for enhancing regional deterrence. Pistorius expressed a similar recognition.
In a joint news conference after the meeting, Koizumi said it is difficult for just one nation to respond to rapid changes in the severe security environment. He said it is more important than ever for like-minded nations, such as Japan and Germany, to work closely together.
AloJapan.com