(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
I would like to speak about the crash of the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) helicopters. With regard to the crash of the MSDF helicopters on April 20, we have concluded that the seven missing personnel have lost their lives. It is truly regrettable that we have reached this situation despite diligent search operations. I am heartbroken to think of the family members who have lost a beloved relative. I would like to express my sincere condolences. The incident occurred while the personnel who perished in the line of duty were carrying out critical, high-level training as SDF personnel to execute national defense missions, with a noble purpose and responsibility. We will make every effort to determine the cause and prevent any recurrences. In addition, as the Minister of Defense, I will take the lead and do my utmost to maintain highly developed capabilities and readiness in response to the people’s mandates, and strive to continue executing national defense missions with a sense of unity. In recognition of the achievements of the personnel who perished in the line of duty in this incident, and to honor their spirits, funeral ceremonies will be carried out on June 22 at the Omura Air Base and on June 30 at the Komatsushima Air Base.
I have an announcement on the holding of the Japan-U.S. Defense Industrial Cooperation, Acquisition, and Sustainment (DICAS) Forum. Japan and the U.S. established the DICAS at the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting in April this year. Based on this, on Sunday, June 9, we launched the inaugural meeting co-chaired by Mr. Fukasawa, Commissioner of the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ALTA), and Dr. LaPlante, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. This Forum saw Japan and the U.S. agreed on the premise of promoting Japan-U.S. defense industrial cooperation, and decided to establish working groups for joint missile production, maintenance of ships and aircraft, and strengthening supply chain resilience for equipment, in order to further discussions for concrete cooperation in the future. Furthermore, in addition to the DICAS, on Monday, June 10, a round table was held to invite representatives from the defense industry of Japan and the U.S. Based on the outcomes of this Forum, we will advance concrete discussions at the working level to deepen defense industry cooperation in the future.