OKINAWA, JAPAN, Thursday 20 February 2014 - The 5th Japan-ASEAN Defense Vice-Ministerial Forum hosted by Japan where senior officials from defence ministries of the ASEAN Member States and ASEAN Secretariat were invited, was held in Laguna Garden Hotel in Okinawa, Japan. Brunei Darussalam was represented by Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Azmansham Pengiran Haji Mohamad, Permanent Secretary (Defence Policy and Development), Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam.
The forum was chaired by His Excellency Masanori Nishi, Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense, Japan. This year, the forum focused on exchanging views on the future direction of capacity building efforts between Japan and ASEAN and the roles of Japan and ASEAN member States in those efforts. The meeting also discussed on the possible equipment-technology cooperation among Japan and ASEAN member states to respond to non-traditional security issues.
Brunei Darussalam presented the outcomes and key lessons learnt particularly on the equipment and technology perspectives from the ADMM-Plus Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and Military Medicine Exercise (ADMM-Plus HADR and MM Ex) that was held between 16 – 20 June 2013 in Brunei Darussalam.
On the sideline of the Forum, Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Dato Haji Azmansham held bilateral meetings with his ASEAN counterparts and Japan to discuss the progress of bilateral defence relations and also the various multilateral initiatives under the ADMM and ADMM-Plus umbrella that was started in Brunei Darussalam last year.
The last day of the forum was dedicated to a visit to the Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force Naha Base where briefings were presented on Japan’s Ground Self Defense Force 15th Brigade, its 15th Helicopter Unit and the 101st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, Japan’s Maritime Self Defense Force Fleet Air Wing 5 and Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force Southwestern Composite Air Division. There was also a demonstration on Japan Self-Defense Force equipment and technology after the briefings where Japan showcased their current products and research projects that are being undertaken. The day concluded with a historical site visit of the Shurijo Castle which is a symbol of the unique history and culture of Okinawa.