Asia
Seminar on Capacity Building in Maritime Security and Disaster Relief (Summary)
September 26, 2014
- From September 24th to 26th, MOFA held the "Seminar on Capacity Building in Maritime Security and Disaster Relief" as a follow-up to the keynote address delivered by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Shangri-La Dialogue held in May.
- Officials in charge of foreign and defense policies attended the seminar from ASEAN countries[Note] and exchanged views with government officials of Japan. They were also briefed about the Japanese defense equipment by defense industry of Japan.
[Note] Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, The Philippines, Viet Nam, Malaysia, Myanmar and Laos- (1) In the session held on the first day of the seminar (September 24), Mr. Yasuhide Nakayama, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, delivered his opening remarks. Following the opening remarks, the Japanese side explained its security policy based on the "Proactive Contribution to Peace" and provided concrete information related to the assistance by Japan, including capacity building assistance by the Self-Defense Forces and defense equipment and technology cooperation.
In response, participants from ASEAN countries expressed their support to Japan's concrete efforts based on the policy of "Proactive Contribution to Peace" and their expectation for even stronger cooperative relationship between Japan and ASEAN countries. Many questions, especially regarding the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, were asked by the participants.
(2) On the second day (September 25), with the cooperation of the Japanese defense industry, the participants toured to see defense equipment, with a potential to contribute to the capacities of ASEAN countries in maritime security and disaster relief.
(3) On the last day (September 26), representing the participating countries, the participants from Thailand and Viet Nam gave presentations on the support they have received from Japan, the challenges they face and their needs for further capacity building. In addition, while learning the needs for defense equipment and technology cooperation by other participating countries, active discussions were held between Japanese and ASEAN countries' participants with a view to identifying the possibility of tangible assistance projects.- It is expected that the discussions at this seminar will deepen the understanding of ASEAN countries on concrete efforts made by Japan based on the policy of "Proactive Contribution to Peace" and strengthen the cooperative relationship between Japan and ASEAN countries in the field of maritime security and disaster relief.
- (1) In the session held on the first day of the seminar (September 24), Mr. Yasuhide Nakayama, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, delivered his opening remarks. Following the opening remarks, the Japanese side explained its security policy based on the "Proactive Contribution to Peace" and provided concrete information related to the assistance by Japan, including capacity building assistance by the Self-Defense Forces and defense equipment and technology cooperation.
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