Japan and Thailand have strengthened defence ties as security challenges intensify across the Indo-Pacific, with Tokyo describing Bangkok as an indispensable partner in maintaining regional peace.
At the Japan Self-Defence Forces Memorial Day reception in Bangkok on July 23, Japanese Ambassador Otaka Masato said security cooperation between the countries is comprehensive despite an unstable global environment, with growing tensions across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
He said military ties had expanded steadily over the past 70 years, with about 500 Thai military officers having studied in Japan. Many now hold senior positions in the Royal Thai Armed Forces and help strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Japan has also taken part in the annual Cobra Gold military exercise alongside Thai and US forces for nearly two decades. Defence cooperation has broadened to include transfers of defence equipment and technology, including a heavy-duty truck test vehicle project.
In March, Japan approved Official Security Assistance worth 500 million yen (about 100 million baht) to help strengthen Thailand's security capabilities and contribute to regional peace and stability.
Mr Otaka said Japan and Thailand were indispensable partners in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific and looked forward to expanding defence cooperation further ahead of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.
Responding to questions about concerns over Japan returning to militarism, Mr Otaka said Japan remained committed to its exclusively defence-oriented policy. "We may be a little more proactive in helping other countries defend themselves, but we will never be the aggressor," he said.
Asked about Japan's security assistance to Cambodia, he said the support was intended to strengthen its capacity to contribute to regional peace and stability, not to support any specific conflict. "We are supporting Cambodia in its capacity building for peace and stability in the region, but not for any particular conflicts," he said.
