Belgium and Japan strengthen military cooperation

Belgium and Japan have agreed to strengthen their military ties to promote global stability. During a diplomatic visit to Tokyo, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken and his Japanese counterpart, Shinjirō Koizumi, discussed deepening cooperation based on shared democratic principles and international law.

A key component of the partnership involves enhanced training for elite military units. Following an initial training session for Japanese special forces in Belgium, a Belgian detachment is scheduled to conduct exercises in Japan later this year. Additionally, plans are underway to establish a permanent office for the Belgian defense attaché in Tokyo.

The collaboration also extends to operational support in unstable regions, particularly in Africa. Belgium has offered to share its expertise in evacuations and rescue missions to assist Japanese citizens and businesses. This support is increasingly relevant as Japanese mining companies expand their presence in Africa to reduce reliance on Chinese critical minerals, necessitating improved protection and evacuation capabilities during crises.