Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force chief made an official visit to South Korea for the first time in 17 years. This visit marks the resumption of exchanges in the ground domain, following previous visits by the Joint Staff Office and Maritime Staff Office chiefs.
Arai Masayoshi, the chief of the Ground Staff Office, arrived at Gimpo International Airport on September 29 at the invitation of the South Korean Army and stayed until September 30. During his visit, Arai met with Army Chief of Staff Kim Gyu-ha to discuss security environments and defense cooperation. The two also shared a dinner, and Arai visited a South Korean Army unit during his stay.
The last official visit by a Japanese Ground Staff chief to South Korea was in 2009. Analysts suggest that this renewed military exchange aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries amid concerns over a potential decline in U.S. deterrence in East Asia.
High-level exchanges resumed last July when Yoshida Yoshihide, then chief of the Joint Staff Office, visited South Korea for the first time in 15 years. In April of this year, Saito Akira, chief of the Maritime Staff Office, visited Seoul and met with Navy Chief of Staff Kim Kyung-ryul. Arai's visit signifies the restart of exchanges in the ground domain.
Defense authorities from both countries agreed to annualize ministerial meetings and resume search and rescue training during a defense minister meeting held on January 30 in Yokosuka, Japan. On June 7, they conducted search and rescue training in the waters southeast of Jeju for the first time in nine years, and Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro visited South Korea for two days starting June 27 to continue discussions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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