Hon Mark Mitchell
Minister of Defence
Government of New Zealand
21 July 2017
Media Statement
Japanese State Minister of Defence visits NZ
Defence Minister Mark Mitchell has held talks today with Japanese State Minister of Defence Kenji Wakamiya, who is
conducting an official visit to New Zealand.
“Japan is an increasingly important defence partner for New Zealand,” Mr Mitchell says. “We have a defence relationship
underpinned by our common democratic values, and the fact we are both maritime nations vulnerable to natural disasters.
“The New Zealand Government was immensely grateful for the support the Japan Self-Defense Forces provided us after the
Kaikoura earthquake last year,” Mr Mitchell says.
New Zealand and Japan are also strongly committed to maintaining regional peace and security.
“In addition to exploring new ways for our defence forces to work together, Minister Wakamiya and I exchanged views on
security issues facing the Asia-Pacific region,” Mr Mitchell says.
Minister Wakamiya’s visit to New Zealand follows Mr Mitchell’s meeting with Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada at
the Shangri-La Dialogue in June, and Prime Minister Bill English’s counterpart visit to Japan in May. The frigate HMNZS
Te Kaha also recently undertook a port visit to Tokyo.