(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, first, I paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Amarasuriya of Sri Lanka. As the regional and global security environment surrounding the two countries becomes rapidly more complex and unpredictable, Prime Minister Amarasuriya and I concurred that Japan and Sri Lanka will work together more closely as comprehensive partners, and enhance bilateral defense cooperation and partnership to contribute to the peace and stability of the region and the international community. I received an exceptionally warm welcome, and profound gratitude was expressed for Japan’s past contributions. I witnessed firsthand a deep sense of trust in Japan. Following this courtesy call, I held a meeting with Deputy Minister of Defense Jayasekara. We share a common background as infantry platoon leaders. Deputy Minister of Defense Jayasekara serves in his current role after 34 years of military service and is deeply knowledgeable about the situation of military units. At the meeting, we first agreed that it is essential to strengthen the bilateral partnership, particularly in the field of defense, for the prosperity of both nations and the peace and prosperity of the broader Indo-Pacific region. Based on this shared recognition, we agreed to enhance cooperation and coordination across all units—land, maritime, and air—to promote bilateral defense cooperation and elevate it to a higher level. Specifically, for collaboration between our ground forces, we concurred that the Ground Self-Defense Force will invite Sri Lanka as an observer to practical disaster management exercises and engage in mutual knowledge-sharing on humanitarian assistance and disaster response. For collaboration between our naval forces, we concurred that both sides will organize a seminar on the Law of the Sea during upcoming port calls by a Self-Defense Force vessel, aimed at deepening cooperation on maritime security. For collaboration between our air forces, we concurred that both sides will expand operational knowledge-sharing through new capacity building, focusing on air rescue and aeromedical transport. Furthermore, both sides agreed to initiate a new framework for multilayered personnel exchanges. This will include the mutual exchange of future defense leaders, with the goal of strengthening the foundation of mutual understanding between the defense establishments of both countries. In addition, we conducted a candid exchange of views on regional security situations, including developments in the East China and South China Seas. I explained that there are serious concerns regarding unilateral attempts to change the status quo. Through this visit to Sri Lanka, it was very meaningful that we concurred to enhance the defense cooperation and partnership between Japan and Sri Lanka, which are comprehensive partners, with a view to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region in light of the increasingly severe security environment surrounding us. As Minister of Defense, I am committed to deepening our defense cooperation with Sri Lanka and ensure the peace and stability of the region. The President of Sri Lanka concurrently serves as Minister of Defense, and the Deputy Minister whom I met today is effectively the head of defense. Today’s meeting between the Deputy Minister of Defense and myself was joined by the Defense Secretary as well as the commanders of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, each of whom made remarks. It was a truly fruitful meeting. A range of issues were raised, and discussions were held on deepening the bilateral defense cooperation. I believe this visit was very worthwhile and delivered outcomes.