Canada has taken another significant step in strengthening its presence in the Indo-Pacific, wrapping up a high-level defence trade mission to Japan aimed at expanding military cooperation and opening new opportunities for Canadian industry.
Minister of National Defence David J. McGuinty concluded a week-long visit to Tokyo that combined strategic defence discussions with a strong focus on growing commercial partnerships between Canadian and Japanese companies operating in the defence, aerospace, critical minerals and advanced technology sectors.
The mission brought together Canadian and Japanese businesses through a Defence Roundtable and a series of industry meetings designed to encourage new partnerships, improve market access and position Canada’s defence sector for long-term international growth.
Speaking about the visit, Minister McGuinty emphasized the broader importance of the relationship:
“Japan is a key defence and economic partner for Canada in the Indo-Pacific region. This visit marked important progress in strengthening our defence trade and industrial cooperation, while underscoring Canada’s commitment to working with trusted partners to advance regional security and resilience.”
Alongside the trade mission, McGuinty met with Japan’s Minister of Defense, Shinjiro Koizumi, to discuss regional and global security priorities and opportunities to expand bilateral defence cooperation. Their discussions reaffirmed the importance of the Canada–Japan defence relationship while exploring ways to strengthen interoperability, improve information sharing and enhance operational collaboration between the Canadian Armed Forces and the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
The visit also highlighted an important milestone for defence cooperation. On June 16, the Canada–Japan Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement (ETTA) officially entered into force, creating a framework for the transfer of defence equipment and technology between the two countries. The agreement is expected to make it easier for Canadian and Japanese companies to collaborate on the co-development of defence equipment, technology and intellectual property.
The mission supports the Government of Canada’s broader Defence Industrial Strategy, which seeks to strengthen Canadian businesses, create high-value jobs, encourage innovation and diversify international partnerships. By expanding cooperation with trusted partners such as Japan, Canada continues to position its defence industry for sustained global competitiveness while reinforcing security collaboration across the Indo-Pacific.
