Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa says that Japan will help other countries to reinforce their military capabilities.

“As Japan is facing the most severe and complicated security environment since the end of the war, in order to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and to create a security environment desirable for Japan, it will be vital to reinforce the defense capabilities of Japan and to enhance the security and defense capabilities of like-minded countries.”

Hayashi explained that this policy would be separate from Overseas Development Assistance (ODA): “A new financial cooperation framework grant to support the military and other elements for equipment and material to respond to security needs of like-minded countries will be introduced.”

Hayashi refused to be drawn on which countries Japan might help with this new form of assistance, saying it would be “based on the needs of the recipient.”

However, he did confirm that 2 billion yen (about $150) had been budgeted for the grants in fiscal 2023.