(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
I visited the Philippines for three days. Earlier, I paid a courtesy call on President Marcos with Secretary of National Defense Teodoro, and reported on the Japan-Philippines Defense Ministerial Meeting, which was just held. In addition, we concurred that Japan and the Philippines will further closely cooperate as strategic partners, and further enhance defense cooperation and collaboration to contribute to regional and international security environment. In addition, as you have just seen, with the participation of the Department of National Defense of the Philippines, I visited the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyers JS “Ariake” and “Hamagiri,” which are calling at ports in Manila from today, and encouraged the trainee officers who will play key roles in the MSDF in the future. This port call contributes to the strengthening of the bilateral cooperation relationship in maritime security, and I was very pleased that Senior Undersecretary Espino and Vice Admiral Ezpeleta of the Philippine Navy visited together with me. This visit to the Philippines has been of great significance in that both sides have concurred to deepen collaboration with a sense of urgency in three areas: 1) the security environment surrounding us is becoming increasingly severe; 2) Japan and the Philippines, which are strategic partners, need to elevate their defense cooperation and collaboration to a higher level to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region; 3) based on the fundamental understanding, strengthening cooperation particularly in operations, enhancing people-to-people exchange, and further promoting equipment and technology cooperation. As Defense Minister, I will continue to deepen defense cooperation with the Philippines, and make all efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region.