Japan names three reasons for worsening security situation in Southeast Asia and pledges support to ASEAN

Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, during a meeting of ASEAN defense ministers in Cebu, identified three factors contributing to the 'rapid deterioration' of security in the region: increasingly destructive natural disasters disrupting critical infrastructure, global conflicts impacting supply chains and energy supplies, and a rapidly shifting military balance raising the risk of clashes and miscalculations. Tokyo pledged support to ASEAN in enhancing its response and deterrence capabilities, covering areas from disaster relief to maritime security. Koizumi emphasized that these crises overlap and reinforce each other, stressing the importance of ASEAN's unity, centrality, and resilience as a global public good. The meetings in Cebu included the 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting and the 13th ADMM-Plus, attended by the US, South Korea, Australia, and India, though China did not send its defense minister this year.

Aziz KarimovFirst published on tafs uz 28 October 2026 at 14:572 min read

The key facts

Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi identified three causes of deteriorating security in Southeast Asia during a meeting in Cebu, Philippines
Japan pledged to support ASEAN in strengthening response and deterrence capabilities, ranging from disaster relief to maritime security
At the 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting, China did not send its defense minister this year

Japan's three stated reasons

Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, at a joint meeting of ASEAN defense ministers in the Philippine city of Cebu—the current chair of the association—listed the 'three reasons' behind what he described as the 'rapidly deteriorating' security situation in Southeast Asia. According to him, first, natural disasters are becoming increasingly destructive while simultaneously disrupting communications, healthcare, and transportation; second, global conflicts are affecting supply chains and energy supplies; third, the military balance is shifting rapidly, increasing the risk of clashes for vulnerable parties and dangerous miscalculations. This was reported by Anadolu Agency.

Crises 'overlap and reinforce each other'

'These crises do not merely adapt; they overlap and mutually reinforce one another,' Koizumi stated, emphasizing the importance of ASEAN's 'unity, centrality, and resilience.' He described these three qualities as a global public good, 'protecting peace, prosperity, and the freedom of choice for every nation.' He added that member states are strengthening their own response and deterrence capabilities, while ASEAN as a whole addresses common challenges—from disaster response to maritime security—and Japan is ready to support both efforts.

Goal: Expand options for ASEAN

'Our goal is simple: to expand options for ASEAN and for each member, enabling them to understand, decide, and act independently,' said Japan's defense minister, calling for updated areas of cooperation and promising to 'do everything possible' to turn ASEAN's choices 'into real strength.' The meetings in Cebu include the 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting and the 13th Expanded Meeting (ADMM-Plus), which also involves the United States, South Korea, Australia, and India; meanwhile, as noted by Anadolu, China did not send its defense minister to the meeting this year.