Japan, France vow more security cooperation in Asia-Pacific

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged more security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific as Kishida made his first visit to France since taking office.

Japan holds the 2023 presidency of the Group of Seven industrialised countries, and Kishida kicked off a tour of fellow bloc members France, Italy, Britain, Canada and the United States.

In a joint press statement with Macron , the Japanese premier said he was looking forward to more cooperation with France in the Asia-Pacific region.

"France is a leading partner for the realisation of a free and open Indo-Pacific," said Kishida, who became premier in October 2021.

"As unilateral attempts to change by force the status quo in the East and South China Sea intensify and the security environment becomes increasingly tense, we wish to continue to cooperate with France," he said, alluding to joint military drills.

Japan's government approved a major defence policy overhaul last month, including a significant spending hike, as it warned China posed the "greatest strategic challenge ever" to its security.

Macron said France and Japan would continue their "joint actions in the Indo-Pacific".

"Japan can count on our unfailing support in the face of Pyongyang's violation of international law," he added.