Japan considers holding defense ministerial meeting with ASEAN
(VOVWORLD) -Japan is considering holding a defense ministerial meeting with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Cambodia at the end of June.
 Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi. Photo: Kyodo/VNA
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Kyodo News Agency quoted sources from the Japanese government as saying that this meeting will take place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting in Cambodia, which holds the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN.
At the meeting, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi will emphasize the importance of maintaining a rules-based maritime order and he is likely to oppose any attempt to "unilaterally change the status quo by force".
According to Kyodo, Japan has been trying to enhance its relations with ASEAN members in defense as they are located in a strategically important area straddling key sea lanes.