On Wednesday, Japan and New Zealand took a significant step toward bolstering regional security by reaching a basic agreement on intelligence sharing. The move comes amidst growing concerns about the region’s security landscape, marked by deepening ties between North Korea and Russia.
Prime Ministers Fumio Kishida of Japan and Christopher Luxon of New Zealand issued a joint statement expressing their worry over the escalating tension in the South China Sea, where China has been increasingly assertive in asserting its territorial claims. The statement highlighted the agreement in principle of an information security pact, paving the way for the sharing of classified information between the two countries.
Beyond intelligence sharing, the two leaders also committed to expediting talks for a pact that would allow their forces to collaborate on logistical support and supplies during bilateral training and other operations. This agreement reflects Japan’s accelerated military buildup and expanded defense partnerships, outlined in its 2022 national security strategy, in response to perceived threats from China, North Korea, and Russia.
The joint statement condemned the escalating military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including North Korea’s provision of ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine, in the strongest possible terms. Luxon, addressing a joint news conference following the talks, emphasized the crucial need for Japan and New Zealand to collaborate closely to comprehend and respond to the significant regional issues facing Japan’s neighborhood.
He highlighted the discussion between the two leaders regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang and North Korea’s role in fueling Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. Putin’s visit, his first in 24 years, saw him sign an agreement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledging mutual assistance in the event of aggression. The visit has raised international concerns about a potential arms deal, where North Korea could provide Moscow with desperately needed munitions for its war in Ukraine in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers that could enhance North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile program.
Japan has established similar intelligence agreements with eight other countries, including the United States, Australia, Britain, India, and South Korea, as well as NATO. The country is currently negotiating a similar deal with Canada and has agreed to initiate talks with Ukraine on a comparable agreement.
