Japan, ASEAN to hold 1st meeting of defense chiefs in Nov.
Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will hold the first meeting of their defense ministers in November to boost their security ties, Japanese government officials said Thursday.
Japan aims to keep China, which has been pressing its territorial claims in the East and South China seas, in check by strengthening defense cooperation with the 10 ASEAN member states.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe proposed holding the defense ministers' meeting during Japan-ASEAN summit talks in Tokyo last December.
Myanmar, this year's chair of ASEAN, is seen as the most likely venue for the meeting.
In February, senior Japanese and ASEAN defense officials agreed in Okinawa to expand cooperation in joint development of equipment to combat terrorism and natural disasters.
Two months later, Japan adopted new principles and guidelines on arms exports, the first major overhaul in nearly half a century of its arms embargo policy, in an attempt to play a more active role in global security.
Japan and ASEAN plan to discuss joint development and provision of defense equipment in the November meeting, while calling for a peaceful solution to China's maritime disputes with Vietnam and the Philippines in the South China Sea.
Tokyo is expected to reiterate its opposition to Beijing's bid to change the status quo by force, as has been repeatedly expressed by Abe.
==Kyodo
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