Focus on security and cooperation when Japan’s Minister of Defense visited Sweden
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The security situation has deteriorated in both the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions in recent years. When Japan’s Minister of Defense Minoru Kihara met with Sweden’s Minister for Defence Pål Jonson in Stockholm on 25 July, discussions included deepened cooperation to tackle these challenges.
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Mr Jonson and Mr Kihara on board a combat vessel operated by the Swedish Armed Forces.
Photo: Stina Gullander/Government Offices of Sweden
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Honorary guard welcoming the two ministers.
Photo: Stina Gullander/Government Offices of Sweden
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The ministers at the meeting.
Photo: Stina Gullander/Government Offices of Sweden
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 dramatically worsened the security situation in Europe. Following the invasion, Sweden and Finland became members of the Euro-Atlantic defence alliance NATO. Meanwhile, Russia has strengthened its relations with China and North Korea, which affects the whole Indo-Pacific region.
“Security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions are becoming increasingly linked. Defence cooperation between Sweden and Indo-Pacific partner countries, such as Japan, is important to jointly face these challenges,” says Mr Jonson.
Mr Jonson and Mr Kihara arrived for their meeting at the National Maritime Museum in Stockholm in a combat vessel operated by the Swedish Armed Forces. They discussed how to enhance Swedish-Japanese defence cooperation in areas including research innovation, technology and development of space and underwater capabilities.
They also discussed support to Ukraine and NATO’s close cooperation with Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand (IP4).
Defence cooperation with Japan
Sweden and Japan have enjoyed diplomatic relations for over 150 years and have also cooperated on defence for a long time.
In December 2022, Mr Jonson and Japanese Ambassador to Sweden H.E. Noke Masaki signed a comprehensive agreement in the area of defence between the countries.
Mr Jonson visited Japan in June 2023.
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