SINGAPORE — Dutch Defence Minister Dilan Yesilgoz‑Zegerius and Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi exchanged playful World Cup banter at the Shangri‑La Dialogue as their national teams prepare to meet in Group F on June 14.
Koizumi noted Yesilgoz‑Zegerius’s planned visit to Japan falls on the same day as the match but said he would not cancel their meeting, drawing laughter from delegates. Yesilgoz‑Zegerius quipped that the Netherlands, “a small country,” often feels larger on the football field and hoped friendship would survive a Dutch victory.
The light‑hearted football theme threaded through a session on regional tensions and burden‑sharing, where Yesilgoz‑Zegerius argued that smaller nations enhance their security by cooperating with partners. South Korean delegate Lee Chung Min joked he would back Japan, while moderator John Chipman kept a “neutral” stance.
Yesilgoz‑Zegerius also challenged gender stereotypes in defence, joking that women are “way less emotional than men” and expressing hope to inspire male colleagues. The Shangri‑La Dialogue ran May 29–31 and featured key addresses from leaders including Vietnam’s To Lam and Timor‑Leste’s Jose Ramos‑Horta.