Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed today (Tuesday) with his Japanese counterpart Hamada Yasukazu a security agreement with Japan (Memorandum of Exchange).
Gantz, who was received in the morning in a ceremony at the Japanese Ministry of Defense, had a strategic dialogue with the members of the delegation.
At the end of the dialogue, a security agreement was signed between the parties which will enable the strengthening of the defense, military and strategic cooperation between the countries.
Israel and Japan are marking 70 years of diplomatic relations this year, and seek to strengthen and deepen their security cooperation.
At the beginning of the meeting, Defense Minister Gantz expressed his sorrow and offered his condolences to the Japanese people for the murdered former Prime Minister Abe.
The Israeli security delegation at one of the meetings in Japan, photo: AP
Later, Defense Minister Gantz also met with Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa.
Yesterday he met with Japan's Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu (the second most important minister in Japan after the Prime Minister), with Japan's National Security Adviser Akiba Takeo, and with the US Ambassador to Japan Ram Emanuel.
Lesson from Ukraine
"Israel sends its soldiers to serve in the IDF because our goal is to protect our citizens and bring stability, prosperity and peace," said Gantz, "the cooperation between Israel and Japan in developing technology and sharing knowledge will allow us to fulfill this vision for our citizens.
We are in significant times of challenges and opportunities.
The war in Ukraine proved that every country needs to have the capabilities to defend itself, and that our alliances with countries that strive for peace must be strengthened."
Gantz said that before his departure for Japan, he discussed "with senior US government officials the issue of Iran's nuclear threat and its aggressive actions in the region.
Against these - American-led cooperation is required.
Contribution to stability
"I would like to thank you, Minister of Defense Hamada, for Japan's contribution to the stability of the Middle East, and for the opportunity to be here today and promote the cooperation between our two countries and our two peoples for the sake of common interests, and for the stability of the world and the region. I am sure that the cooperation between us will prosper and deepen."
The Defense Minister's delegation accompanying him on his visit to Japan includes the Director General of the Ministry of Defense Colonel (ret.) Amir Eshel, the Chief of Staff of the Minister of Defense Maayan Yisraeli, Israel's Defense Attaché in Japan Alon Yehoshua, Israel's Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen and the Military Secretary to the Minister of Defense Brigadier General Yaki leaking
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