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Japan deepens Southeast Asian ties with airmen program

Japan deepens Southeast Asian ties with airmen program | iNFOnews.ca
Japan's Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Singapore's Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen attend the ASEAN and Japanese Defense Ministers' Informal Meeting at the 12th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting in Singapore on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Don Wong)

SINGAPORE – Japan’s defence minister says he plans to start a program for professional airmen to strengthen ties between his country and Southeast Asia.

Takeshi Iwaya says the program fits in with the government’s vision to raise defenceco-operation with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which has “gained momentum” since it was announced in 2016.

The program hopes to promote shared values and interoperability among Japan’s Air Self-Defence Force and airmen of ASEAN countries.

Iwaya did not give details on when it will be launched or its frequency. He was speaking on the sidelines of an Asian security conference in Singapore, which was also attended by regional defence ministers, U.S. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart, Gen. Wei Feng.

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Abbey Westbury

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