Defense Minister Akinori Eto on Wednesday discussed cooperation in maritime security, humanitarian aid and disaster relief with Southeast Asian counterparts at a meeting in Myanmar.
The gathering in Bagan, central Myanmar, was the first of its kind to boost security ties between Tokyo and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
A Japanese government source said Eto emphasized the importance of Japan-ASEAN cooperation in regional security, telling defense chiefs, "no country can maintain peace alone."