Japan, France broadly agree on pact on logistics for troops

January 27, 2018

Tokyo- The Japanese and French governments broadly agreed Friday on a pact for mutual supplies of food, fuel and other goods by Japan's Self-Defense Forces and France's military.

The broad accord was reached at a meeting in Tokyo among Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, and their respective French counterparts, Jean-Yves Le Drian and Florence Parly.

The ministers also agreed to expand joint training by the Maritime SDF and the French navy, and promote joint studies on defense equipment.

The "two-plus-two" session was the fourth between Japan and France. The previous such meeting was held in January 2017.

The Japan-France acquisition and cross-servicing agreement is expected to enhance interoperability between Japanese and French troops, and facilitate their cooperation, including in U.N. peacekeeping missions.

Japan has concluded a bilateral ACSA with the United States, Australia and Britain.

At a joint press conference after Friday's meeting, Kono said that it is important for Japan to strengthen security and defense cooperation with France, adding that the two countries need to jointly tackle an array of issues facing the international community. The broad accord on the Japan-France ACSA is a big result, he also said.

At the meeting, the Japanese and French ministers welcomed planned joint drills using an MSDF destroyer and a French frigate. The drills are slated to take place on the occasion of the French warship's port call in Japan next month.

The ministers agreed to launch promptly a joint study on sea mine detection technology.

They also agreed to strengthen cooperation for maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

The four ministers shared concern about tensions in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, where China is increasingly assertive, and expressed strong opposition to any unilateral action there.

In addition, they confirmed their countries' commitment to maximizing pressure on North Korea, which continues nuclear and missile development.

Earlier on Friday, the French ministers met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and told him that French President Emmanuel Macron hopes to visit Japan this year. Jiji Press