(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
I visited Yokota Air Base today. Yokota Air Base, underpinned by support from both Japan and the U.S., is a linchpin of Japan’s defense, and a place that embodies the robust alliance between the two countries. When North Korea launched the ICBM-class ballistic missile yesterday, Yokota Air Base played a central role in gathering and analyzing information, working in close cooperation with the U.S., the Republic of Korea (ROK), and other countries. Furthermore, in the face of this severe security environment, F-35 and F-2 fighter aircrafts from the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) conducted a joint exercise with F-16 fighters from the U.S. in the airspace over the Sea of Japan yesterday. I consider this a highly significant event that signaled to parties in Japan and abroad the close cooperation under the Japan-U.S. alliance. During my visit today, I first paid a courtesy call on Lt. Gen. Stephen F. Jost, Commander, U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) at USFJ Yokota Air Base. In light of the increasingly severe security environment, including the launch of the ICBM-class ballistic missile by North Korea yesterday, it is vital to work on strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance. I shared this recognition with Lt. Gen. Jost, and we affirmed that USFJ and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) will work together to contribute to the peace and stability of the region. I also visited the Bilateral Information Analysis Cell (BIAC), where I surveyed the site of Japan-U.S. cooperation. Next, I was briefed on the wide-ranging missions at the ASDF Yokota Air Base, including their response to the ballistic missile launch by North Korea and the scrambling of aircrafts in response to approaching Chinese and Russian aircraft. It was a humbling experience for me to witness the personnel working diligently on their missions, gathering information and conducting surveillance activities continuously throughout the day, with strong morale and a noble mission of protecting our country. I was also very proud to see SDF personnel handle yesterday’s missile launch appropriately, with precision and an earnest commitment to the mission. As Minister of Defense, I am firmly resolved to lead these personnel, pave the way forward, and work hand-in-hand with them to respond firmly to the noble mission of protecting the country.
I have one more matter to report. As previously announced, North Korea launched one or more ICBM-class ballistic missiles yesterday. After analyzing yesterday’s launch by North Korea in close cooperation with the U.S. and the ROK, we believe that the ballistic missile in question may have been a new type of ICBM-class ballistic missile, and infer that this was a solid-fuel propelled ballistic missile. In general, when compared to liquid-fuel propelled missiles, solid-fuel propelled missiles are easier to store and handle, and are also considered superior, as they can be launched very quickly. North Korea has set out the goal of developing a solid-fuel propelled ICBM and has, in fact, previously launched solid-fuel propelled ICBM-class ballistic missiles. This recent launch is considered to be a part of these development efforts. Regardless of what North Korea’s intentions may be, this launch is an outrageous act that escalates tensions across the whole of the international community. This series of actions by North Korea, including the repeated ballistic missile launches to date, threatens the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community, and is totally unacceptable. The Ministry of Defense, in close cooperation with the U.S., the ROK, and other countries, will continue to make all efforts to collect and analyze necessary information and conduct surveillance in order to protect the lives and property of Japanese citizens.