Defense ministers, police heads of 14 Pacific island nations and Japan to meet in Tokyo

The Japanese Ministry of Defense plans to hold a meeting in Tokyo on March 19 and 20 with the participation of the heads of military and police departments of 14 small island countries of the Pacific Ocean, Report informs via TASS.

Issues of ensuring the safety of shipping lines and joint actions to overcome the consequences of natural disasters will be discussed.

According to the Japanese media, Pacific countries with armed forces, such as Papua New Guinea and Fiji, will be represented at the meeting at the level of defense ministers. Small states that do not have armies will send leaders of the police or other security structures.

As the Asahi newspaper notes, Tokyo views this meeting as part of its efforts to contain China, which is actively establishing relations with the island countries of the Pacific Ocean and implementing infrastructure projects there. The first meeting of this kind was held in the Japanese capital in September 2021. In July 2024, it is planned to organize a Pacific Island Summit in Tokyo at the level of heads of state and government of the countries of the region.