Reference News Network, September 10 - According to the Japanese Sankei Shimbun, on September 9, Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono held talks with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro in Seoul, South Korea. Japan and the Philippines reached an agreement to further strengthen defense cooperation and confirmed that they will accelerate consultations to sign the "Military Information Protection Agreement" as soon as possible, thereby achieving confidential information sharing.
This is the third meeting between Kono and Teodoro this year, following meetings in February and June.
The report noted that Japan and the Philippines are rapidly deepening their defense cooperation, and both countries are committed to building a five-nation cooperation framework including the United States, South Korea, and Australia.
The report stated that after the talks, Kono told the media, "Deepening defense cooperation with the Philippines is of great importance for the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region." Teodoro emphasized during the talks, "Threats should not be taken lightly."
During the talks, the two sides also discussed the export of second-hand destroyer ships from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. In preparation for the upcoming implementation of the "Reciprocal Access Agreement" on November 11, both sides discussed strengthening cooperation at the operational level. The "Reciprocal Access Agreement" will simplify procedures for exchanges between the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine military.
Kono attended the international conference "Seoul Security Dialogue" hosted by the South Korean Ministry of Defense on September 9 and delivered a speech. He emphasized, "For the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, Japan-South Korea, Japan-US-South Korea security cooperation is of unprecedented importance." (Translated by Liu Jieqiu)
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