Japan is preparing to host a strategic meeting involving the defense ministers of 14 island nations situated in the South Pacific region. The meeting, scheduled for March 19 and 20 in Tokyo, is a significant move aimed at enhancing Japan's engagement with these island nations on security matters. With China's expanding presence in the region being a concern, the meeting intends to bolster Japan's ties with these nations to address common security challenges.
Among the attendees will be representatives from island nations like Fiji and Papua New Guinea, which have their own defense forces, along with countries without militaries sending delegates from their police forces and coast guards. Additionally, observer roles will be filled by director-generals from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and other nations to witness the discussions. The agenda of the meeting includes discussions on various pressing issues such as maritime security, climate change impacts, and efficient disaster response strategies for island nations.
Prior to this upcoming in-person meeting, a virtual gathering was held in 2021 due to the constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the previous meeting, a joint statement was crafted which highlighted Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) diplomatic policy in view of China's maritime expansions in the region. Despite China's escalating engagement in South Pacific island countries through infrastructure projects and other initiatives, Japan is endeavoring to ally itself with the United States and Australia to counter China's increasing influence. The meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for the subsequent Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting scheduled to take place in Tokyo in July.