Tokyo: Japan and Israel have signed a defence cooperation agreement. This was concluded during the visit of Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz to Japan. The agreement is significant as both countries have completed 70 years of diplomatic cooperation. Japan’s Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada said that the agreement between Japan and Israel is vital for an open and free Indo-Pacific region along with peace and security in the Middle East, which is necessary for Japan to prosper. Both Japan and Israel are connected by international maritime traffic.
Moreover, Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz said that defending our countries and striving for peace and stability is the common goal of Israel and Japan. For this, both countries are developing technology and exchanging knowledge. Gantz expressed confidence that both countries would achieve their common goals. Earlier in 2019, a defence cooperation agreement was signed between Japan and Israel. However, the new agreement signed on Tuesday seems to bring the two countries closer. Just last week, the Chief of the Israeli Air Force visited Japan and held discussions with the Chief of the Japanese Air Force. This is the first time since 1991 that a senior officer of the Israeli defence forces has visited Japan.
Additionally, over the last few years, Japan has heavily invested in Israel to strengthen its cooperation further. In 2015, Japanese investment in Israel was less than nine million dollars. In 2021, Japan signed about 85 defence contracts with Israel worth $2.9 billion, which doubled over the previous year. The new defence cooperation agreement will significantly expand the scope of Japanese cooperation with Israel. Japan’s arch-rival China is taking rapid steps to increase its influence in the Middle East, especially with Iran. Israel’s cooperation with Japan has multiple reasons. The increasing envelope of Chinese influence in the Middle East and Iran is becoming a warning bell for Japan. In such a situation, Japan is trying to counter China by engaging with Israel with defence cooperation.
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