Japan exports military equipment to Vietnam... Jointly checking China's security threat

Suga Holds Security Talks in Vietnam, First Visit Since Inauguration... Agreement on 'Defense Equipment Agreement'
Exports of Patrol and Transport Aircraft Produced in Japan Opened... Check on China in the South China Sea

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc have reportedly reached a basic agreement to sign a "Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement," according to Japanese media. By concluding a security-related agreement in Vietnam, his first overseas visit, Prime Minister Suga is seen as signaling externally that this Southeast Asia tour is a move to check China in the South China Sea.

According to Japanese local media such as NHK, on the 19th, Prime Minister Suga and Prime Minister Phuc held talks in Hanoi, Vietnam, and announced that they had reached a basic agreement to conclude the Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement. At a joint press conference after the talks, Prime Minister Suga emphasized, "Reaching a substantive agreement on defense equipment and technology transfer between the two countries is a significant step forward in terms of security."

The specific details of the agreement have not yet been disclosed. Japanese media report that a legal framework has been established to allow the export of Japan-produced P1 patrol aircraft, C2 transport aircraft, and related equipment at Vietnam's request. This is interpreted as an intention to check China's continued advance in the South China Sea by exporting defense equipment to Vietnam, which is engaged in territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea. At the joint press conference, Prime Minister Suga stated, "We confirmed cooperation on security issues such as tensions in the South China Sea and threats from North Korea," and added, "Prime Minister Phuc expressed support for the Japanese government's efforts to repatriate Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s."

Additionally, the two leaders agreed to promptly resume passenger flights between the two countries, which have been suspended since the COVID-19 pandemic, and to implement a "Business Track (special entry procedure)" allowing businesspeople and skilled workers to enter without a 14-day quarantine. Prime Minister Suga is scheduled to move to Indonesia on the morning of the 20th to continue his Southeast Asia tour.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.