(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
My first announcement is about the launch of short-range ballistic missiles by North Korea. Today, during the 7 a.m. hour, North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles off its west coast. While the details are currently being analyzed through close coordination among Japan, the U.S., and the Republic of Korea (ROK), we estimate that all the missiles fell into the Sea of Japan off the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula, outside the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Japan. It is estimated that at least seven of the ballistic missiles launched flew approximately 400 kilometers at a maximum altitude of approximately 100 kilometers. North Korea has launched ballistic missiles in succession over a short period of a week. As we have been stating, North Korea’s nuclear and missile development threatens the peace and security of Japan and the international community and is totally unacceptable. The Ministry of Defense (MOD), 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.
Next, as I mentioned at the Cabinet meeting earlier, today the National Security Council and the Cabinet decided to extend by one year the following three operations. The first is counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. The second is information gathering activities in the Middle East, and the third is the dispatch of Headquarters personnel to the Multinational Force and Observers Mission (MFO). Through these operations, MOD and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) will continue to contribute to the peace and security of the international community. Let me provide some details. The first is counter-piracy operations. The fundamental causes of piracy, including poverty in Somalia, remain unresolved, and there continue to be no changes in the situation. Units from various countries still conduct counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden, and Japan, too, must continue to conduct counter-piracy operations. Second is information gathering activities. In the Middle East region, while the situation does not require immediate protection of Japan-related vessels, heightened tensions persist, and there are incidents against sailing vessels. Therefore, we view that it is necessary to continue efforts to ensure the safety of Japan-related vessels. Third is MFO. We believe that dispatching personnel to MFO and extending the dispatch period for Headquarters personnel are meaningful from the perspectives of, first, continuing operations that contribute to the peace and stability of the Middle East, which serves as a foundation for the peace and prosperity of Japan; second, promoting cooperation with the 14 countries, including the U.S., that are dispatching personnel; and third, securing opportunities for human resource development.