Japanese warships docked in New Zealand’s capital Wellington on Friday for the first time in over 50 years, reflecting Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen strategic ties in the South Pacific region.
Two destroyers, JS Ise and JS Suzunami, carrying more than 500 crew members, arrived at Wellington harbor escorted by the New Zealand navy ship HMNZS Canterbury. The Japanese vessels were on an Indo-Pacific deployment, having participated in recent joint military exercises in Sydney with New Zealand, Australia, and other nations.
Though the visit was largely ceremonial, it underscores Japan’s growing focus on expanding bilateral military cooperation beyond its sole treaty ally, the United States, amid ongoing regional tensions.
“Our defense forces are developing cooperative work, not only with New Zealand and Australia but also with many Pacific Island countries,” Japan’s envoy to Wellington, Makoto Osawa, said Friday. “Our main goal is the free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The ambassador’s comments came shortly after Australia announced that Japanese firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries won a major contract to build Australian warships, beating a German competitor. Australian officials called it the largest defense industry deal between the two countries.
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New Zealand has also been boosting its strategic and military relations in Asia as part of a recent foreign policy shift emphasizing Pacific cooperation and security. In July, Wellington announced the start of work on a defence logistics agreement with Japan to facilitate closer military collaboration.
Japanese naval visits to the South Pacific remain rare, but the strategic importance of the waters around New Zealand, Australia, and Pacific Island nations is growing amid competition between Beijing and Western powers for regional influence.
Though geographically remote, New Zealand has increasingly become involved in complex regional security matters. In February, live-fire exercises by Chinese naval frigates in the Tasman Sea between New Zealand and Australia raised concerns after flights were abruptly diverted.
According to New Zealand’s military, this is the first visit by a Japanese naval vessel to Wellington since 1973.
Source: Agency