Japan's defense chief steps aboard visiting South Korean warship as the two nations strengthen ties
Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani was welcomed aboard a South Korean warship during its port call near Tokyo on Wednesday, a first for a Japanese defense chief, as the two countries step up security ties against a backdrop of growing tension in the region
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Japan' s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani was welcomed aboard a South Korean warship during its port call near Tokyo on Wednesday, a first for a Japanese defense chief, as the two countries step up security ties against a backdrop of growing tension in the region.
Nakatani greeted and spoke with South Korean sailors aboard their Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship ROKS Marado which was making a port call at a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force base in Yokosuka, west of Tokyo, on Thursday.
“Japan-South Korea security and defense cooperation have become more important than ever as we face an extremely severe security environment and global issues,” Nakatani told a welcome ceremony. He was speaking two days after North Korea fired a barrage of short-range missiles into the sea just east of the Korean Peninsula shortly before the U.S. presidential election.
Nakatani said Japan will further deepen defense ties with South Korea and relations with the United States.
Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a test flight of the country’s newest intercontinental ballistic missile designed to reach the U.S. mainland.
The crewmembers of the South Korean fleet of three warships were expected to take part in a joint training program with their Japanese counterparts while in Yokosuka.
Since early last year, under pressure from Washington and with tension growing in the region, the leaders of the two Asian neighbors worked to repair ties badly frayed over grievances stemming from Japan’s atrocities during its 1910-45 occupation of the Korean Peninsula. The two countries have since revived high-level talks and cooperation from in areas including the economy and defense.
Nakatani's appearance on the South Korean warship underscores the improvement in relations since last year. The leaders of Japan, South Korea and the United States have also agreed to bolster their trilateral security ties and formalize their annual summit.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.