Japan, New Zealand foreign ministers agree to speed up talks on intelligence sharing as China concerns grow

The overseas ministers of Japan and New Zealand agreed connected Monday to velocity up talks connected an intelligence sharing pact arsenic nan 2 land nations vowed to fortify information ties and practice successful nan Indo-Pacific region amid shared interest complete an increasingly assertive China.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and her Japanese counterpart, Yashimasa Hayashi, besides agreed during their talks successful Tokyo to collaborate connected privilege issues for Pacific Island nations specified arsenic ambiance change, maritime information and infrastructure.

The 2 countries pledged to guarantee that nan Pacific Island region, wherever China's power is quickly expanding, remains unchangeable and prosperous and free from overseas interference and coercion, and that nan "rights, freedoms and sovereignty of each countries sloppy of size aliases powerfulness are protected," according to a connection released by Japan's Foreign Ministry.

JAPAN EASES CORONAVIRUS MEASURES FOR TOURISTS FROM CHINA BY ONLY TESTING RANDOM PASSENGERS

Hayashi said Japan, nether its caller National Security Strategy, is strengthening practice pinch like-minded countries to support and grow nan "free and open" world order, and that practice pinch New Zealand is highly important.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, left, and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, right, shingle hands aft their gathering astatine Iikura Guest House connected Feb. 27, 2023, successful Tokyo.  (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

In December, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's authorities adopted cardinal information and defense upgrades, including a counterstrike capacity that breaks pinch nan post-World War II rule limiting Japan to self-defense, while doubling defense spending successful 5 years.

JAPANESE STARTUP ANNOUNCES PLANS TO LAUNCH COMMERCIAL SPACE VIEWING BALLOON FLIGHTS

Kishida told a parliamentary convention connected Monday that nan Defense Ministry is purchasing 400 U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles for deployment arsenic early arsenic 2026. The Tomahawks would beryllium utilized connected Aegis radar-equipped destroyers and would beryllium tin of striking targets arsenic acold arsenic 1,000 miles away.

But imaginable counter-strike usage requires highly precocious cyber-security and intelligence, which Japan lacks. It has been hoping to create person ties pinch members of nan "Five Eyes" intelligence confederation and has signed intelligence-sharing agreements pinch nan United States, Australia and Britain, and is discussing pacts pinch nan 2 remaining members, New Zealand and Canada.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Hayashi said he and Mahuta agreed to "accelerate an early conclusion of an accusation information agreement, which will beryllium a instauration of information and defense practice betwixt nan 2 countries."