Top Diplomats from Japan, US, Australia, and India Convene for Quad Talks in Tokyo

Top diplomats from Japan, the US, Australia, and India gathered in Tokyo on Monday to address security issues and enhance joint support for maritime safety and cybersecurity in the Indo-Pacific region amid escalating tensions with China.
The meeting, hosted by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, included US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The discussions centered on a unified stance against China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea and its expansive maritime claims. The agenda also covered reinforcing maritime safety and cybersecurity measures.
China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, its contentious stance on Taiwan, and its opaque military expansion have heightened regional tensions. The Quad nations, each a significant global player, focused on strategies to maintain regional security and address these challenges.
Kamikawa emphasized the growing instability in maritime security and the need for enhanced cooperation among Quad members. Wong echoed this sentiment, describing the current regional circumstances as “the most confronting in decades.”
In addition to regional security, the Quad talks were expected to cover other global concerns, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East.
The discussions followed a “2+2” security meeting between Japan and the US on Sunday, where the two countries identified China as “the greatest strategic challenge.” They committed to deepening military cooperation, upgrading command structures, and enhancing Japanese production and repair capabilities for US-licensed weapons.