防大で留学生受け入れ　太平洋島しょ国と連携強化―木原防衛相

　木原稔防衛相は２０日、東京都内で開かれた日本と太平洋島しょ国の防衛担当閣僚らの会合で基調講演を行い、防衛大学校（神奈川県横須賀市）で島しょ国から留学生を受け入れると表明した。中国の覇権主義的な動きを念頭に「自由で開かれ安定した海を守っていかねばならない」と述べ、防衛・安全保障分野の協力を推進すると強調した。（2024/03/20-20:15）

Japan's National Defense Academy will accept students from Pacific island countries from as early as fiscal 2025, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said Wednesday.
   He made the announcement in a keynote speech in a two-day meeting of defense ministers of Japan and Pacific island countries in Tokyo.
   Apparently bearing in mind China's hegemonic ambitions, Kihara stressed the importance of protecting free, open and stable seas, saying that Japan will enhance its cooperation with Pacific island countries in the fields of defense and security.
   The National Defense Academy in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, will accept students from the three Pacific island countries of Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tonga, all of which have their own militaries.
   Kihara also expressed his intention to make progress in cooperative programs, such as port calls by Self-Defense Forces ships and capacity-building support, ahead of the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting to be held in Tokyo in July this year.