Japan, New Zealand Defense Chiefs Vow Security Cooperation

Tokyo, Dec. 19 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his New Zealand counterpart, Judith Collins, on Friday agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in the security field amid China’s increasingly hegemonic moves in the Indo-Pacific region. Also on Friday, the Japanese and New Zealand governments signed an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement, or ACSA, which enables Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and the New Zealand military to exchange fuel and ammunition. During the meeting in Tokyo, Koizumi explained China’s recent use of military radar against Air SDF fighter jets and a joint flight by Chinese and Russian bombers in areas surrounding Japan. “The destabilization of this region is in no one’s interest,” Koizumi told Collins. “Japan aims to work closely with New Zealand for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he added. Last month, Collins expressed interest in introducing an upgraded version of the Maritime SDF’s Mogami-class frigate when they met in Malaysia. Meanwhile, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said Friday that Japan and the Netherlands signed an ACSA on Thursday to allow the SDF and the Dutch military to exchange supplies such as fuel and ammunition between them, as part of efforts to deepen security cooperation. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]