Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr. S. Jaishankar made an official visit to Japan for the 2nd India-Japan 2+2 Foreign Ministerial Meeting 2022 and Defence Ministerial Meeting 2022 held in Tokyo, Japan, from September 7–10, 2022.
- Both Ministers met with their Japanese counterparts, Mr. HAMADA Yasukazu, Minister of Defense of Japan, and Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
India and Japan celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2022, and both countries are committed to a special strategic and global alliance.
INDIA – JAPAN ‘2+2’ DIALOGUE
i.In 2019, the “2+2” dialogue with Japan was launched in an effort to strengthen bilateral security and defence cooperation and deepen the strategic ties between the two nations.
- The United States (US), Japan, Australia, and Russia are among the few nations with whom India has “2+2” format ministerial dialogue.
ii.The common principles of democracy, freedom, and respect for the rule of law serve as the bedrock of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Note:
- Fumio Kishida, the Prime Minister of Japan, visited India in March 2022 for the annual India-Japan summit in New Delhi, Delhi.
- He announced an investment target of 5 trillion yen (approximately Rs 3,20,000 crore) in India over the next five years at the summit.
India & Japan Share Responsibility for Ensuring a Free, Open, and Prosperous Indo-Pacific: EAM Jaishankar
EAM Jaishankar emphasized the joint responsibility of India & Japan in preserving a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region during the 2nd India-Japan 2+2 Foreign Ministerial Meeting and Defence Ministerial Meeting in 2022.
India and Japan strive to ensure it through a number of policies and mechanisms, which include cooperation in the following forums:
- Quad framework (Australia, India, Japan, and the United States)
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
- Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP)
- Supply Chain Resilience Initiative
Key Points:
i.India and Japan are working together to establish the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, among other initiatives.
ii.The Ministers also reaffirmed their firm support for ASEAN’s unity and centrality, as well as for the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)”.
iii.In 2023, India will chair the G20 (Group of Twenty), which would coincide with Japan’s presidency of the G-7(Group of Seven).
India & Japan Call to Avoid Any Forceful Attempt to Change Status Quo Unilaterally
India & Japan emphasized the need for all nations to seek out peaceful solutions to disputes as global cooperation is more important than ever to confront security problems.
- The process shall be carried out in line with international law without the threat or use of force, as well as any attempt to unilaterally modify the status quo.
India & Japan hold inaugural ‘fighter exercise’ between Air Forces of both countries
During bilateral discussions at the 2nd India-Japan 2+2 Foreign Ministerial Meeting in 2022 and Defence Ministerial Meeting in 2022, both nations decided to hold the first “fighter exercise” between their respective air forces.
Key Points:
i.Japan has taken part in the multinational exercise MILAN for the first time in March, 2022.
- The exercise witnessed operationalization of the Agreement Concerning the Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Indian Armed Forces.
ii.India and Japan have agreed to continue bilateral and multilateral exercises such as “Dharma Guardian,” “JIMEX” and “Malabar.”
Click here for the Joint Statement: Second India-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting
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Hiroshima Day 2022 – August 6 & Nagasaki Day 2022 – August 9
i.Hiroshima Day is observed annually across Globe on 6th August in accordance to the remembrance of the world’s first atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima, Japan in 1945, at the end of World War II.
ii.Nagasaki Day is annually observed on August 9th to promote peace among nations and to create awareness about the devastating results of nuclear weapons. The day is also observed to remember innocent civilians who lost their lives in the devastation of nuclear blasts during World War II.
About Japan:
Prime Minister – Fumio Kishida
Capital – Tokyo
Currency – Japanese Yen (JPY)
