Japan's defence minister to visit Vietnam, Thailand on maritime security

Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera will kick off a five-day tour to Vietnam and Thailand from Sunday to boost cooperation on maritime security, said the Japan's defense ministry. Onodera is expected to hold talks with his Vietnamese counterpart on Monday to discuss bilateral cooperation on maritime security, according to the ministry, adding the defense chief will express Japan's support for Vietnam's possible participation in UN peacekeeping works. The Japanese minister will visit Thailand, the first time for Japan's defense chief since 2007, on Wednesday. He will meet with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who also serves as the country's defense minister. Onodera will explain Japan's policy to the Thai prime minister and seek to strengthen bilateral cooperation in anti-piracy operations.