Japanese Defence Minister visits Thailand

BANKGOK, September 18 (TNA) – Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera is paying an official visit to Thailand, as part of his ongoing five-day overseas trip, scheduled for September 15-19, which also took him to Vietnam earlier. Thai Defence Ministry Spokesman Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng told journalists that the visiting Japanese Defence Minister met Thai Deputy Defence Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapa in Bangkok on Wednesday, during which both sides agreed on boosting bilateral cooperation between the Thai and Japanese military forces, after high-ranking officers of both countries have not exchanged visits for a long time. According to the spokesman, both sides also confirmed their stances on issues in the South China Sea, with Thailand to support the formulation of a code of conduct to guarantee peace in the South China Sea and Japan to support security in the region. The spokesman said Tokyo also expressed its intention to cooperate with other world powers, like China, South Korea and Russia. The visiting Japanese Defence Minister also praised Thailand for sending soldiers to participate in the Cobra Gold regional military exercises and a disaster relief drill involving 26 countries. Besides, the visiting Japanese Defence Minister also extended the gratitude of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Thailand for Bangkok's vote for Japan to host the 2020 Summer Olympics. During his stay in Thailand, the visiting Japanese Defence Minister is reportedly scheduled to also meet with Thai Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, with Tokyo's defence policy and bilateral cooperation on anti-piracy expected to be raised during the talks. (TNA)