Japan and New Zealand have reached an agreement in principle on an intelligence sharing pact to address the security challenges in the region, particularly concerning Russia’s increasing ties with North Korea. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed shared concerns over rising tensions in the South China Sea, where China has been assertive in asserting its territorial claims.
The leaders welcomed the information security agreement that will enable classified information sharing and also committed to speeding up talks on a pact that would allow their forces to share logistical support during bilateral operations. Japan’s military buildup and defense partnerships have been intensified under its 2022 national security strategy, in response to threats from China, North Korea, and Russia.
Kishida and Luxon strongly condemned the growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including the transfer of ballistic missiles used in Ukraine. They discussed the implications of Putin’s visit to Pyongyang and the mutual aid agreement signed between Russia and North Korea amid escalating tensions.
Japan has intelligence sharing agreements with several countries, including the United States, Australia, and Britain, and is also in discussions with Canada and Ukraine for similar deals.
AP video journalist Richard Colombo contributed to this report.
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