Quad Ministers Meet in Tokyo, Addressing Regional Tensions and Maritime Security
Top diplomats from Japan, the U.S., Australia, and India met in Tokyo, outlining measures to strengthen maritime safety, cybersecurity, and support for other Asia-Pacific nations amidst rising regional tensions.
They expressed concern about the tensions and opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo, alluding to China's actions in the South China Sea.
The Quad agreed on initiatives to counter cyberattacks, ensure maritime security, and combat disinformation. They also pledged expanded support for Southeast Asian and Pacific island nations to bolster their capabilities.
A key initiative involves launching a maritime legal dialogue focused on international law of the sea. The ministers reaffirmed their dedication to upholding a free and open maritime order in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The Quad nations are also extending their partnership to the Indian Ocean to enhance maritime domain awareness. Initiatives include supporting the installation of a secure telecommunications network in Palau and building cybersecurity capacity in the Philippines and India.
"We are committed to putting our collective resources to work to benefit people across the region," Blinken stated. "We continue to work with partners to ensure freedom of navigation, overflight, and the unimpeded flow of lawful maritime commerce."
Emphasizing the growing global uncertainty, Kamikawa stressed the critical role of stability in maritime, cyber, and space domains for regional prosperity.
"We Quad nations aim to protect the foundations of prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," she added.
While China's territorial disputes with India were not explicitly discussed, Jaishankar acknowledged the issue.
Wong emphasized the Quad's commitment to achieving "a world in which disputes are managed by rules, by talking, by cooperation."
The Quad meeting followed a "2+2" security meeting between Japan and the United States, where China was designated as "the greatest strategic challenge." Both nations agreed to deepen military cooperation.
Blinken and Austin are scheduled to travel to Manila for similar security talks with the Philippines.
Japan has been accelerating its military buildup and efforts to strengthen its arms industry, marking a significant shift from its postwar, self-defense-only principle.
In a historic move, Japan and the U.S. signed a deal for the sale of Japanese-made Patriot missiles, marking the first instance of finished weapons for export being approved by Japan's National Security Council.