Historic Visit: Japanese Warships Dock in Wellington Amid Strategic Shifts
Japanese warships have docked in Wellington, New Zealand, for the first time in nearly 90 years as part of a strategic Indo-Pacific deployment. This visit underscores Japan's efforts to enhance its strategic ties in the South Pacific amid regional tensions, and parallels New Zealand's foreign policy shifts toward greater Pacific cooperation.
- Country:
- New Zealand
In a historic move, Japanese warships docked in Wellington, New Zealand, on Friday, marking their first visit in almost 90 years. This milestone forms part of Japan's efforts to strengthen strategic ties across the South Pacific Ocean.
The destroyers JS Ise and JS Suzunami, accompanied by New Zealand's HMNZS Canterbury, are participating in an Indo-Pacific deployment. Their visit follows involvement in war games in Sydney with New Zealand, Australia, and other nations. Japan, with the United States as its sole treaty ally, is actively seeking bilateral military cooperation amid regional tensions.
This visit aligns with New Zealand's recent foreign policy shift towards bolstering strategic and military relations within Asia. Japan aims to promote a 'free and open Indo-Pacific,' as highlighted by Ambassador Makoto Osawa. The cooperation comes after a major defence contract win by Japan's Mitsubishi for Australian warships, further strengthening ties.
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