Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to strengthen their military cooperation on Thursday. The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) could facilitate joint drills in maritime waters.
Japan seeks to enhance defense ties with France amidst concerns about China's maritime assertiveness. Tokyo is focused on issues like freedom of navigation and disputed territories like the Senkaku islands.
"We are concerned with the unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East and South China Seas," said Maki Kobayashi, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson.
"There are many challenges posed by China but also opportunities. We have to deliver the messages where we are concerned and we would like China to be a responsible power." - Maki Kobayashi, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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