World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Japan’s defense minister to attend ASEAN talks in the Philippines
Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi will visit the Philippines from Oct.
28 to attend an expanded ASEAN defense ministers’ meeting.
The gathering brings together the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and partner countries to discuss defense issues.
Koizumi said Japan would stress that countries should be able to defend themselves and choose their own futures.
He also plans to emphasize the importance of continuing dialogue during crises.
Meetings with the US and South Korean defense ministers are being arranged, but a meeting with China’s defense chief is uncertain because his attendance has not been confirmed.
If China’s minister attends, Koizumi says he wants frank discussions about shared concerns and challenges.
Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said he will visit the Philippines from Oct. 28 to attend an expanded ASEAN defense ministers’ meeting.
He announced the trip at a news conference after a Cabinet meeting on Oct. 27.
Koizumi said he would convey Japan’s commitment to a region where every country can defend itself and choose its own future.
He said he would also stress the importance of continuing dialogue in the face of crises.
Defense minister meetings with the United States and South Korea were being arranged, while China’s defense minister’s attendance had not been confirmed.
- Who
- Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.
- What
- He will attend an expanded ASEAN defense ministers’ meeting. Meetings with the U.S. and South Korean defense ministers are also being arranged.
- When
- The visit begins Oct. 28, 2026. Koizumi announced it on Oct. 27.
- Where
- The Philippines.
- Why
- Koizumi said he would convey Japan’s commitment to a region where countries can defend themselves and choose their own futures, and stress the importance of dialogue during crises.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Koizumi announced after a Cabinet meeting that he would visit the Philippines from the following day.
Koizumi’s announced visit to the Philippines was due to begin.
- Minister
- Shinjiro Koizumi
- Destination
- Philippines
- Visit begins
- Oct. 28, 2026
- Event
- Expanded ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-Plus)
- Meetings being arranged
- Defense ministers of the United States and South Korea
3 sources
What people are saying
I will clearly convey Japan’s determination to realize a region where all countries can defend themselves and choose their own future.
I will stress the importance of continuing dialogue even when facing a crisis.