トンガと日本の防衛協力がまた大きく一歩進んだ。
Defence cooperation between Tonga and Japan has taken another major step forward.
'ADM Sakai, CMS #JMSDF received a visit from CAPT Ulakai, Deputy Chief of DefenceStaff, HMAF Tonga, who came to Japan for JPIDD. To realize #FOIP, the two forces which share values will further collaborate in tackling challenges under “Bridging the Blue Continent” philosophy.."
The second Japan-Pacific Defence Dialogue is taking place today. The trigger was the 8th Island Summit in 2018. I proposed maritime security and its relationship to the Indo-Pacific Initiative here when I spoke at the parliamentary study group. Then Prime Minister Abe mentioned it in his speech and it became an agenda of meeting, and furthermore, Advisor to the Prime Minister Sonoura made an all-Japan tour of the island states, including the Self-Defence Forces, so it did not end up being just a proposal.
MP Kono, who became Foreign Minister in the Abe administration, appointed Minister of Defence in September 2019.The results of the 2018 Island Summit were at once linked to the FOIP and to defence.
That left the CSIS speech in January 2020. I was following up in detail the proposals I had made, which were spreading rapidly.
The 26th Annual U.S.-Japan Security Seminar: The U.S.-Japan Alliance at 60
そして2021年9月岸防衛大臣の下で第一回日本太平洋島嶼国防衛対話が実現した。
The Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue (JPIDD) | Japan Ministry of Defense
当初共同訓練を断ってきたパラオ政府は、パラオ柔道連盟の要請を受け、護衛艦加賀が日本の有志の支援による柔道着を運ぶ事となり、無事初めての共同訓練が行われたのである。
海上自衛隊のインド太平洋派遣が開始した。
そして2024年3月に第二回日本太平洋島嶼国防衛対話である。
中国の牽制もある。しかし１番の理由は、2008年にキーティング司令官がパラオ高官に述べていたように「この広い太平洋を守れるのは日米しかいない。しかし我々ば日本の手脚を縛った。（憲法９条のこと）」2008年にこのことをパラオ高官から直接聞いた私は縛られた手足を解く努力を重ねてきた。
Initially, the Palauan Government refused to conduct joint training with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force. At the request of the Palau Judo Federation, the destroyer Kaga was to carry judo uniforms with the support of Japanese citizens, and the first joint training took place without incident. This is what I did.
2021, the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force's deployment to the Indo-Pacific began and expanded every year, 2022 and 2023.
And in March 2024, the second Japan-Pacific Island States Defence Dialogue.
There is a deterrent to China. But the number one reason is that, as Commander Keating of PACOM told the Palauan High Official in 2008, "Only the US and Japan can defend this huge Pacific. But we have tied Japan's hands and feet. (referring to Article 9 of the Constitution)."
Having heard this directly from Palauan officials in 2008, I have made repeated efforts to untie the bound limbs.
他方、トンガは王様の軍隊なのであるが、議会と国王の対立がまだ続いているようで気になる。詳細をフォローしていなかったが気になるニュースだ。
