Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi will arrive on Wednesday in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu for the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) from October 28 to 30.

"I plan to visit the Philippines from tomorrow, October 28th to the 30th, to attend the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers, Meeting Plus, ADMM Plus, and the 10th Japan ASEAN Defense Ministers informal meeting. This will be my second time participating following last year," Koizumi said in a post-Cabinet meeting press conference on Tuesday.

Koizumi said during the ASEAN meeting he wants to "clearly communicate that Japan will actively contribute to regional peace and stability, and remain a sincere and highly transparent partner."

"ASEAN is an essential partner for realizing a free and open Indo Pacific, and a cornerstone supporting peace and prosperity in the region. The ADMM Plus is a vital opportunity to have frank exchanges of views with defense ministers and others from across the region, including Asian nations. This time, I intend to clearly convey Japan's determination to realize a region where all countries can protect themselves and choose their own futures," he said.

"To that end, it is important to respect ASEAN's unity and centrality while enhancing each country's capacity to respond to difficult situations. thereby leading to stability for the entire region. Specifically, we will further develop ADMM initiatives to strengthen each nation's ability to defend its own country and prevent conflicts before they occur. I will also emphasize the importance of continuing dialogue, even when facing a crisis," he added.

The Philippines, through the Department of National Defense (DND), will seek to strengthen regional partnerships and practical defense cooperation for a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region, as it hosts the 20th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus in Lapu-Lapu City.

As chair of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus for 2026, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. will lead discussions to advance regional defense dialogue and strengthen cooperation among ASEAN Member States and Plus Dialogue Partners.

Assistant Defense Secretary and DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a press briefing Tuesday that the proposed outcome documents for this year’s meeting include joint statements, which are subject to finalization and the required consensus among the participating parties.

The meetings, Andolong said, also coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, signed in 1976, which upholds respect for sovereignty, non-interference and a peaceful settlement of disputes. Robina Asido/PHS-Presidential News Desk