Greetings for the New Year.

　　　The security situations in areas surrounding Japan remain uncertain, with issues such as North Korea’s ballistic missile launches and the PLA-Navy’s increasing activities in the East China Sea and other areas. In global context, threats to peace and stability of the world has become complicated and diversified as exemplified by unremitting succession of terrorist incidents and frequent assaults by pirates off the coast of Somalia.
　　　Under such circumstances, the Maritime Self-Defense Force successfully conducted a flight test of a ballistic missile interceptor last year, which meant the MSDF obtained the third BMD-capable Aegis ship, and is making efforts to further strengthen its BMD readiness. Also, the MSDF has conducted replenishment support activity in the Indian Ocean for 9 years since 2001 to contribute to the “fight against terrorism” by the international community. Furthermore, we started escorting ships by two destroyers to protect from pirates off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden since last March and surveillance activity by two P-3C patrol aircraft based in Djibouti since last May. These MSDF vessels are operating at this very moment in order to secure safety of ships and freedom of navigation. Through such activities, the MSDF has been working to protect the lives and property of the Japanese people and contributing to peace and stability of the world as a member of the international community, and will continue its efforts.
　　　Meanwhile, domestic situations surrounding the MSDF are very unstable, as indicated by suspension of reviewing the Mid-Term Defense Build-up Program and severe revision of the defense budget. But despite any change of situations, we are determined to fulfill our responsibility steadily to meet the expectation from the Japanese people as well as the international community. I would therefore greatly appreciate your kind understanding and continued support.
　　　Taking this opportunity, I wish everyone a happy, prosperous New Year.