中国念頭、対「影響工作」で連携　日・島しょ国防衛相会合

　日本と太平洋島しょ国の防衛担当閣僚らによる会合が１９日、東京都内で開かれた。中国の覇権主義的な動向を念頭に、政治宣伝や偽情報により他国の世論を操作する「影響工作」への対策について連携の在り方を協議。海洋秩序の維持や宇宙・サイバーなど新しい領域の協力についても意見を交わした。
　冒頭、三宅伸吾防衛政務官が「われわれは大変厳しく複雑な安全保障環境に直面している」とあいさつし、違法漁業対策や気候変動対応など幅広い協力を呼び掛けた。（2024/03/19-18:10）

Defense officials from Japan and Pacific island countries discussed on Tuesday ways to work together in dealing with influence operations that aim to manipulate public opinions of other countries through political propaganda and disinformation.
   The discussion, held in Tokyo, came in light of China's hegemonic behavior. Participants also shared opinions on maintaining maritime order and cooperating in the space and cyber fields.
   "We are facing a very severe and complex security environment," Japanese Parliamentary Vice Minister of Defense Shingo Miyake said at the start of the meeting, calling for wide-ranging cooperation including steps against illegal fishing and measures to deal with climate change.
   It was the first in-person talks among the countries since the inaugural meeting under the framework was held online in 2021 with the aim of strengthening Japan's involvement in the South Pacific, which is seeing growing U.S.-China tensions.
   The meeting is slated to continue through Wednesday.