Defense Minister Gen Nakatani called Saturday for closer defense cooperation among like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific region in order to strengthen the global rules-based order and -- in an implicit criticism of China -- act as a counter to countries seeking to erode the status quo. The Japanese defense chief used a speech before scores of his counterparts and military brass in Singapore at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's leading security conference, to push for closer cooperation and coordination, "while ensuring openness, inclusiveness and transparency, with an aim of restoring a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region, strengthening accountability and promoting the international public good." Nakatani said the need to unite on defense cooperation was clear, pointing to Russia's invasion of Ukraine -- a violation of the U.N. charter -- and Beijing's moves in the disputed South China Sea, including its decision to openly ignore a 2016 international arbitral tribunal ruling that dismissed the country's claim to most of the strategic waterway.

Japan and the United States have recently agreed to begin joint research on artificial intelligence in the hope of using the technology for drones that would work in tandem with the Asian nation's next fighter jet. Japan plans to co-develop a next-generation fighter aircraft with Britain and Italy by 2035. While the United States, Japan's key security ally, is not part of the fighter jet project, it has sought to bolster defense cooperation with Tokyo, including in autonomous systems capabilities. The objective of the joint AI study is to "revolutionize airborne combat by merging state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and machine learning with advanced unmanned air vehicles," the U.S. Air Force said in a press release issued last month upon the signing of the agreement. "The AI developed in this joint research is expected to be applied to UAVs operated alongside Japan's next fighter aircraft," it said, emphasizing that the collaboration will be beneficial for maintaining "technological advantages" of the Japan-U.S. alliance.

NEW DELHI – Japan and India agreed Saturday to conduct their first joint fighter aircraft exercise in Japan as part of efforts to promote bilateral security cooperation in the face of China's military buildup and regional assertiveness. In inaugural "two-plus-two" security talks, the nations' foreign and defense ministers also welcomed the significant progress in negotiations for a pact that would allow the sharing of defense capabilities and supplies including fuel and ammunition. They called for a speedy conclusion to the acquisition and cross-servicing agreement (ACSA), according to a joint statement issued after the talks in New Delhi. The two governments are planning to sign the deal when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visits India for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in mid-December, according to Japanese officials. Tokyo and New Delhi aim to have a joint exercise involving fighter jets from the Air Self-Defense Force and the Indian Air Force next year, the officials said.

ABU DHABI – Japan and its top trade partner in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates, agreed on Monday to expand economic, political and defense cooperation. Tokyo and Abu Dhabi also signed an investment protection agreement, capping off a two-day visit by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the oil-rich Gulf state. Abe arrived late Sunday on the first leg of a Middle East tour that will also take him to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories. In a joint statement, the two countries praised growing trade between them. They "stressed the importance of further enhancing trade, investments, and business such as renewable energy, sustainable water desalination … artificial intelligence, health care and medical equipment," the statement said.