Japan pitches frigate export to New Zealand in defense ministerial talks

SINGAPORE - Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi made a pitch for the possible export of the country's advanced Mogami-class frigate to New Zealand on Saturday during the first trilateral meeting with his New Zealand and Australian counterparts.

Koizumi, New Zealand's Chris Penk and Australia's Richard Marles met on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue regional security forum in Singapore, reaffirming their commitment to closer defense cooperation following Japan's recent easing of rules governing defense equipment exports.