The Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) welcomed the visit of Dr. Brook Barrington, Secretary of Defence of New Zealand and H.E. Mr. Hamish Neville Francis Cooper, Ambassador of New Zealand to Japan. JIIA President Kenichiro Sasae, Adm. Tomohisa Takei (Former Chief of Staff, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force), JIIA Research Fellow Leo Tamamizu, and others were present and exchanged opinions.
[Caption] New Zealand's Defence Capability Plan 2025
Based on the new Defence Capability Plan issued by the New Zealand government, discussions focused on the significance of and the possibility of a Japan-New Zealand defense cooperation. Despite New Zealand's geological location allowing it to avoid direct involvement in the US-China competition, Dr. Barrington stated that New Zealand now requires a new defense policy in response to the shift in the international environment. He further explained that New Zealand must maintain cooperation with China while continuing to collaborate with Japan and Western countries. He also mentioned that New Zealand's Nuclear Free policy since 1985 has severed direct security relations with the US. Currently, Australia is New Zealand's main partner, and New Zealand maintains a certain level of cooperation with the US, though it remains cautious about deep cooperation, including nuclear aspects.
Participants from JIIA opined that, given China's growing maritime expansion, Japan should strengthen its cooperation with New Zealand to promote stability in the Pacific region. At the same time, the key will be how to draw cooperation from the new Trump administration in the US and involve it in regional stability. This topic led to a lively discussion.
Participants
Delegation of New Zealand:
Dr. Brook Barrington, Secretary of Defence of New Zealand
H.E. Mr. Hamish Neville Francis Cooper, Ambassador of New Zealand to Japan
Captain (N) Euan Henderson, Defence Attaché, New Zealand Embassy
Mr. Luke Barrington, First Secretary, New Zealand Embassy
Ms. Isabelle Gunther, Analyst, Ministry of Defence
Ms. Chiaki Sakagami, Policy Adviser, New Zealand Embassy
JIIA:
Amb. Kenichiro Sasae, President
Adm. Tomohisa Takei, Adjunct Fellow, JIIA (Former Chief of Staff, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force)
Mr. Leo Tamamizu, JIIA Research Fellow
Mr. LI Hao, Research Fellow, JIIA
Mr. Yuichi Yoshida, Research Fellow, JIIA