Japan’s and South Korea’s defense ministers agreed on Jan. 30 to strengthen their defense cooperation and work together to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro and South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-back met in Yokosuka, Japan, where they confirmed both countries would develop their cooperation in future-oriented technologies and fields, including artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and space.
The meeting in Japan followed on from Koizumi’s visit to South Korea in September 2025.
According to a joint statement, Koizumi and Ahn agreed to hold visits and other exchanges and to conduct joint search-and-rescue operations.
The statement noted that the two parties had already conducted some exchanges, including between Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force Officer Candidate School and three South Korean military academies this month, as well as South Korea’s Air Force Black Eagles’ first-ever flight visit to Naha Air Base in Okinawa….
Japan, South Korea Agree to Strengthen Defense Cooperation
