(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
I would like to report on the efforts to approach local governments and industries in collaboration with relevant ministries and agencies. At the end of last year, we formulated the “Basic Policy on Improving the Treatment and Working Environments and Establishing New Lifetime Career Plans of Self-Defense Force (SDF) Personnel” at the ministerial meeting. In the policy, we decided to cooperate with industries and the public sector while collaborating with relevant ministries and agencies to expand re-employment opportunities that utilize the knowledge, skills, and experience gained as SDF personnel. In addition, we decided to call on local governments for further cooperation in recruitment activities. In response to this, we have been coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies and have now decided to make arrangements among the Ministry of Defense, relevant ministries and agencies, industries, and local governments on the utilization of retired uniformed SDF personnel in: (1) railway businesses and related services, (2) telecommunications businesses, (3) fire departments nationwide and fire equipment-related companies, and (4) disaster risk reduction and crisis management departments of local governments. Additionally, we have decided to issue a document with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in our joint names to local governments, requesting their cooperation in recruiting SDF personnel and others. Through these measures, we aim to expand re-employment opportunities for retired uniformed SDF personnel, as well as secure human resources for industry companies, local governments, and the SDF. The Government of Japan will continue to make collective efforts to expand these measures, to build a system where SDF personnel can devote themselves to national defense and to secure the recruitment of SDF personnel, bearers of national defense.