Canada-China Relations committee  I agree with Ms. Goto. The Canadian Indo-Pacific strategy is a great plan. The Canada-Japan action plan is very much consistent with the Indo-Pacific strategy. I would say that, even if it's symbolic, the demonstration of a bilateral, joint gesture to elevate the security side of the relationship—for example, “two-plus-two”, which is currently at the vice-ministerial level but which could be elevated to the ministerial level and be made a full-fledged “two-plus-two”—would speak volumes to both countries' collective will to elevate that relationship.

Canada-China Relations committee  Mr. Bergeron, I don't have all the wisdom to know the depth of the Canada-India relationship. I will say that Japan will also face this dilemma when it looks at its relationship with India. It recognizes India as an important strategic partner to counter China's challenge. That does not mean that Japan does not have issues, bilaterally speaking, especially with respect to its values.

Canada-China Relations committee  Yes, I think I might focus on how Japan sees India as a partner in this endeavour. As you have mentioned, India has some challenges when it comes to universal norms, especially in the democracy realm, but Japan really struggled in positioning with India in the immediate aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine because of India's unwillingness to really come out explicitly against Russian behaviour.

Canada-China Relations committee  That wasn't intentional. Our core focus was really.... That was the scope of the parameters given by the editor, so please blame the editor.

Canada-China Relations committee  Good evening, Mr. Bergeron, and thank you. The role of the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific, from the Japanese perspective.... Ideally speaking, Japan always continues to look to the United States as a leading force in shaping the order of the Indo-Pacific as a rules-based region that is governed by universal values such as the rule of law, free trade and open societies.

Canada-China Relations committee  I would quickly say one thing about U.S.-Japan-ROK before moving on to the Taiwan and U.S. elections. The Camp David summit is a tremendous opportunity for Canada, as Canada has good relations, as Ms. Goto said, with both Tokyo and Seoul. Also, the spirit of Camp David really aims at institutionalizing the U.S.

Canada-China Relations committee  Through the chair, thank you very much, Mr. Chong, for that question. I sound like Ambassador Yamanouchi, but that is a very hard question and an interesting one. I would say that Japan considers the risk of being directly attacked by North Korea's missiles—not necessarily a land invasion attempt or anything like that—to be higher than the risk of a direct attack by China.

Canada-China Relations committee  Yes, absolutely.

Canada-China Relations committee  Before I close, let me quickly mention about Japan's security relationship with Canada. As Japan continues to intensify its outreach beyond the Indo-Pacific, Tokyo's engagement with Ottawa is increasingly more important. To Japan, the more interest demonstrated by its out-of-the-area partners, including Canada, the better, as it is Japan's belief that such expression of interest in peace time, supported by the rule of law, will serve as a collective deterrence.

Canada-China Relations committee  Thank you, members of the committee, for having given me this opportunity this evening. It is a great pleasure and honour to have this opportunity to testify before this committee. I'm also extremely pleased that my testimony follows that of Ambassador Yamanouchi, whom you all heard from this past hour.