Defense ministers and representatives from Japan and Pacific island nations began the Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue on Sunday to explore ways to strengthen defense cooperation while ensuring regional stability and promoting a 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific.' The three-day conference, attended by a record number of nations, will address maritime security, climate change, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
The Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue began on February 22, 2026, bringing together defense ministers and representatives from Pacific island nations for a three-day conference with a record number of participants. Discussions will focus on strengthening defense cooperation to ensure regional stability and advance the 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific,' alongside sessions on maritime security, climate change, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, given the island nations' concerns over rising sea levels due to global warming.
Seven ASEAN members bordering the South China Sea—Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, and Brunei—will attend. The Japanese government seeks to promote the 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' vision of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet and foster ties between the island nations and Southeast Asian countries. The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia are participating as partner nations.
These island nations lie in the South Pacific Ocean, a strategic sea lane linking Australia, which supplies minerals and food, to Japan and the United States. They boast extensive exclusive economic zones rich in marine resources like tuna and bonito. While traditionally aligned with Australia and New Zealand, China has recently expanded its influence through large infrastructure loans, heightening geopolitical competition. China aims to establish bases beyond the U.S. defense perimeter known as the 'Second Island Chain,' stretching from Japan's Izu Islands to Guam and Papua New Guinea. In 2022, China and the Solomon Islands signed a security agreement reportedly allowing Chinese military deployments.
Japan plans to bolster relations with the island nations in coordination with the United States and Australia. It advances its Official Security Assistance program, reaching agreements with Tonga and Papua New Guinea this fiscal year to supply UAVs to the Tongan military and heavy machinery to Papua New Guinea's forces. Japan has also dispatched Self-Defense Forces officers to Fiji for capacity building in disaster relief and hygiene.
