SINGAPORE - Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi made a pitch for the possible export of the country's advanced Mogami-class frigate to New Zealand on Saturday during the first trilateral meeting with his New Zealand and Australian counterparts.
Koizumi, New Zealand's Chris Penk and Australia's Richard Marles met on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue regional security forum in Singapore, reaffirming their commitment to closer defense cooperation following Japan's recent easing of rules governing defense equipment exports.
"We'll move forward with discussions on a defense equipment transfer agreement with New Zealand," Koizumi told reporters after the trilateral meeting, referring to the deal that would enable Japan to export frigates to New Zealand.
"I told them that if New Zealand were to select our vessel, it would not only deepen defense cooperation between Japan and New Zealand but could also improve interoperability and operational compatibility among the three countries," including Australia, he said.
Japan believes closer defense cooperation among the three countries will bolster deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region amid China's military buildup and growing maritime assertiveness.
Koizumi also had a separate meeting with Penk, who became defense minister last month, and welcomed New Zealand's decision to include the highly stealthy Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel among the candidates to replace the country's aging frigate fleet.
"I am very pleased that we are able to begin trilateral discussions at such an early stage, especially as New Zealand has shown interest in the Mogami-class frigate," Koizumi told his counterparts from Australia and New Zealand.
As New Zealand is also considering Britain's Type 31 frigate, Penk said a decision on its selection is expected to be made toward the end of 2027, according to Japan's Defense Ministry.
"Anything that New Zealand can do to work alongside these nations, we will firmly take that opportunity," Penk said, adding that cooperation among the three nations is "crucial for the future of this region."
Australia, which Japan describes as one of its closest security partners outside its alliance with the United States, has already selected a design based on the Mogami class for a next-generation frigate program, with the vessels to be developed with Japan.
Japanese officials believe the use of similar vessels by all three countries would improve interoperability and strengthen security cooperation.
The three ministers exchanged views on regional security issues and agreed to work together toward a "free and open Indo-Pacific," an initiative first put forward in 2016 by then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that stresses the importance of the rule of law.
They also agreed to expand joint training and exercises among their forces to improve interoperability and operational cooperation.
Japan revised its three principles on the transfer of defense equipment and technology, and related implementation guidelines in April, easing restrictions on arms exports.
Under the revised rules, Japan can export weapons, including warships, to countries that have concluded agreements with Tokyo on the protection of classified information and other security matters.
"The purpose of Japan's defense equipment transfers is to strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific and prevent new conflicts from breaking out," Koizumi said.
