Japan urges stronger security cooperation with ASEAN amid China concerns

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (R) speaks during a meeting with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Manila, Philippines on July 22, 2026. (Photo not for sale)(Photo courtesy of the Foreign Ministry)(Kyodo)

(From L) Foreign ministers of Japan, India, the United States and Australia pose for a photo as they meet in Manila on July 22, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Japanese Foreign Ministry)(Photo not for sale)(Kyodo)

Foreign ministers from Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations attend a meeting in Manila, Philippines on July 22, 2026. (Photo not for sale)(Photo courtesy of the Foreign Ministry)(Kyodo)

MANILA - Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Wednesday called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to cooperate more closely in defending their territories and territorial waters amid concerns over China's increasingly assertive actions in the region.

Speaking at a meeting of Japanese and ASEAN foreign ministers in Manila, Motegi described ASEAN as central to Japan's vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific and an indispensable partner in realizing it.

"The international order based on the rule of law that we have built over many years is facing a range of challenges," Motegi said.

He pledged closer cooperation with ASEAN on economic security, including critical mineral supply chains, as well as support in areas such as artificial intelligence and disaster response.

"Our goal is to build a stronger and more prosperous region together. We want to continue strengthening our relationship of trust," he said.

Earlier Wednesday, the foreign ministers of Japan, the United States, Australia and India reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation with ASEAN, saying they will deepen collaboration with the regional bloc as "comprehensive strategic partners."

The Quad ministers said they will expand cooperation in maritime security, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, adding that "peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain underpin the security and prosperity of the region."

The meeting came less than two months after the previous Quad foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi, underscoring a renewed diplomatic push by the four countries.

Although not a formal security alliance, the Quad is widely viewed as a counterweight to China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Beijing has criticized the grouping as an effort to build a coalition aimed at containing China.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed interest in holding the first Quad leaders' summit since September 2024 before the end of the year.

A Quad leaders' summit planned in India last year was shelved after U.S.-India ties deteriorated over New Delhi's purchases of Russian crude oil despite Moscow's war on Ukraine.