Japan 'will help S-E Asia build up defence capacity'

Japan will work with South-east Asian nations to build up their defence capabilities even as it sets up a military industrial complex at home. That's the message from its Defence Minister.

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What started as economic cooperation with South-east Asia has been expanding into defence areas, Mr Itsunori Onodera, 53, said in an interview with The Sunday Times, noting that many countries had expressed interest in Japan's military technology.

"It is natural that cooperation will begin," he said. "As we are in the process of consulting various countries, I will not say more at this point."

Kyodo News (Japan) reported the same day, at the Japanese-French bilateral meeting, Minister Itsunori Onodera and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian agreed to promote co-produced weapons, strengthen maritime security cooperation, coordination of N. Korea sanctions.

Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera suggested that French do not sell equipment to China to help stabilize the helicopter landed easily on Chinese naval vessel in bad weather because China may increase flights to the Senkaku Islands. Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says that France will not sell helicopter stabilization device for military purposes.

On June 3rd, the Jakarta Post reported that Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said Japan is strengthening its economy and military to play a responsible international role, seeking to defuse suspicion of neighbors scarred by attacks and occupations in the last century.

Japan, a US ally in dispute with China over maritime territory and within range of North Korean missiles, “caused tremendous damage and suffering” in the past but wants to look to the future by promoting cooperation, Onodera said here on Saturday.

“A strong Japan will play a responsible role in the area of regional security and exercise strong leadership as expected by the international community,” Onodera said, as quoted by Reuters.

In June 1st, the Shangri-La Dialogue, Admiral Samuel Locklear, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, confirmed the Chinese navy ships have begun operating in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the United States but not reveal specific areas.

According to the Financial Times (UK), U.S. Admiral Samuel Locklear said US encourages this move because of the exclusive economic zone accounts for one third of the ocean, if the ban warships passing through the area, the military operation will be obstacles. In contrast, China has long often criticized U.S. naval vessel monitoring activities in the exclusive economic zone of China.

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