Extraordinary Press Conference by Defense Minister Nakatani on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 12:18 PM in Jakarta, Indonesia

(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)

Regarding North Korea’s ballistic missile launch yesterday, we have inferred that it was a solid-fuel propelled intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), based on a comprehensive consideration of the information that we have obtained to date. Analysis is still ongoing on these details, including the possibility that the missile launched had been a hypersonic weapon. As I have explained previously, North Korea’s nuclear and missile development threaten the peace and security of Japan and the international community and is totally unacceptable. The Government will continue to make all efforts to collect and analyze the necessary information while working in close coordination with the U.S., Republic of Korea, and other relevant countries, and conduct surveillance.

I have one more announcement. Today, commencing at 10:00 a.m., I held a Defense Ministerial Meeting with Minister of Defence Sjafrie of Indonesia, for approximately one and a half hours.

Minister Sjafrie and I were aligned in the recognition that strengthening the defense relations between Japan and Indonesia, which has important shipping lanes such as the Straits of Malacca, the Sunda Strait, and the Lombok Strait, is strategically important and contributes to the peace, stability and prosperity not only of the two countries, but also of the entire region. On top of that, under this shared recognition, we agreed to boost concrete initiatives at a high level going forward. There are four specific points.

First, we will enhance cooperation and communication between the defense authorities at high levels including ministerial ones. Second, we will strengthen collaboration between the units especially in multilateral exercises and cooperative initiatives in such areas as HA/DR. Third, on the strengthening of people-to-people exchanges, we will advance human resource exchanges for the next generation, including acceptance of Indonesian cadets and officers at the National Defense Academy and the officer exchange program. And fourth, regarding equipment, we concurred to establish a defense consultation on both countries’ maritime security including defense equipment and technology cooperation. In addition to these, we candidly exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in ASEAN and other frameworks, and regional situations, including the East and South China Seas. I will pay a courtesy call on President Prabowo today.

Yesterday, I visited the headquarters of Kostrad (Army Strategic Reserve Command) where President Prabowo once served as commander, as well as the naval facility in charge of transport missions. I consider it extremely significant that, through the Defense Ministerial Meeting today, we were able to solidify the future course of Japan-Indonesia defense relations as we approach the summit meeting scheduled for the 11th. With the future in mind, and based on the results of this Defense Ministerial Meeting and the upcoming summit meeting, we aim to work steadily to strengthen cooperation with Indonesia.