The defense ministers of Japan and Vietnam agreed to oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo “by coercion” in regional waters, seemingly referring to China’s assertive activities in the East and South China Seas.
Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and his Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Giang discussed regional security in the regional waters in a Nov. 23 meeting, confirming the countries’ cooperation in maintaining the existing international order.
The meeting took place in Tokyo, a day after Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his entourage arrived for a four-day visit at the invitation of Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The countries signed two agreements on cybersecurity and military medicine, in which Japan will strengthen its support for Vietnam in dealing with cyberattacks and medical-related issues.
Kishi told reporters that the cyberspace agreement aimed to address a “strong sense of urgency” over activities in the Indo-Pacific region that challenge the existing international order, indicating China without identifying any country by name.
He said talks with Phan Van Giang, had taken “defense cooperation between the two countries to a new level”.
Japan has in recent years stepped up cyberdefense cooperation with the United States, Australia, and other partners, and participated in a NATO cyberspace exercise in April. Japan has also held cybersecurity talks with Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Japanese Defense Ministry said cyberattacks are part of rising security threats from China as it becomes more assertive in the region—a shared concern by the United States and other allies in the region.
Tuesday’s agreement comes only two months after the two countries struck a deal allowing Japan to provide defense equipment and technology to Vietnam. Details of the transfer of specific equipment, possibly naval vessels, are still being discussed.
