(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
I will visit Laos from November 20 to 23 to attend the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus). This will be the second time that I have participated in the ADMM-Plus as Defense Minister, since the third meeting held in Malaysia in 2015. The ADMM-Plus, which brings together defense ministers from the Indo-Pacific region, offers a very meaningful opportunity for Japan to communicate its views through exchanges of views with other countries on regional security issues. At this meeting, I will first thoroughly discuss the security environment surrounding the region and the international community, and impress on other countries the importance of security cooperation centered on ASEAN and regional collaboration. We are currently making final arrangements so that we can have the opportunity to hold meetings with defense ministers and officials from other countries as far as time permits on this occasion. Through these meetings, I intend to strengthen close cooperation with ASEAN countries toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
Next, with regard to the appointment of the Senior Advisor to the Minister of Defense, WAKAMIYA Kenji was appointed as the Senior Advisor to the Minister of Defense at today’s Cabinet meeting. Mr. Wakamiya has previously served as Minister of State for Special Missions, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, and State Minister of Defense, among other positions. Within the House of Representatives, his previous positions include Chair of the Committee on National Security. Therefore, he has a wealth of experience in administrative operations and in-depth knowledge of security. From the perspective of making full use of his experience and knowledge, I would like Senior Advisor Wakamiya to support me by taking charge of reinforcing defense production and technology bases. Defense production and technology bases are Japan’s defense capability, and it is necessary to reinforce them with a sense of urgency. As a part of the initiative, the Act on Enhancing Defense Production and Technology Bases was enforced last October. Going forward, with the support of Senior Advisor Wakamiya, I intend to strongly promote the related policies under my leadership.