(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
I have an announcement about improving the treatment of Self-Defense Force (SDF) Reserve Personnel and others. In the event of a crisis or natural disaster, SDF Reserve Personnel and SDF Ready Reserve Personnel quickly reinforce defense capabilities by becoming SDF personnel. They also play a vital role in terms of war sustainability. However, in recent years, it has become a major challenge to secure a stable number of SDF Reserve Personnel and SDF Ready Reserve Personnel. To address this urgent issue, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and the SDF have been working to improve the treatment of SDF Reserve Personnel and others. The “Basic Policy on Improving the Treatment and Working Environments and Establishing New Lifetime Career Plans of SDF Personnel,” which was compiled by the Ministerial Meeting at the end of last year, stipulates that measures would be taken to improve the treatment of SDF Reserve Personnel and others. Regarding the direction of such measures, which is also outlined in the basic policy, from September 1, 2025, the MOD will be significantly raising allowances for SDF Reserve Personnel and others, including the SDF Reserve Allowance and Training Call-up Allowance. Specifically, for SDF Reserve Personnel, the SDF Reserve Allowance and Training Call-up Allowance will be raised, and the Continuous Service Incentive Allowance will be newly provided. As a result, the amount paid over one term will increase significantly from the current amount, by approximately 410,000 yen, to approximately 680,000 yen. In addition, for SDF Ready Reserve Personnel, the SDF Ready Reserve Allowance, Training Call-up Allowance, and Continuous Service Incentive Allowance will be raised. As a result, the amount paid to a sergeant of the Ground Self-Defense Force, for example, will increase significantly from the current amount, by approximately 1,030,000 million yen, to approximately 2,740,000 yen. Furthermore, for SDF Reserve Personnel who run their own businesses, if, for example, they are called up for disaster relief operations, a new subsidy of 34,000 yen a day will be provided to help sustain their businesses. This will help reduce the impact on businesses of becoming SDF Reserve Personnel and others as much as possible. By spreading awareness of these initiatives, we hope that more people will be attracted to and take pride in SDF Reserve Personnel and others, and that the initiatives will help increase their number. We will continue to steadily implement various measures under the basic policy, including initiatives for securing a stable number of SDF Reserve Personnel and others.
In addition, I have an announcement about a Japan-Australia “2+2” meeting and Japan-Australia defense ministerial meeting. I will be attending a Japan-Australia defense ministerial meeting and a Japan-Australia “2+2” meeting, or the Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations, which are scheduled to be held in Japan on September 5. To attend these meetings, we are inviting to Japan the Hon. Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia. Just recently, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Marles informed me directly by phone that the upgraded FFM “MOGAMI” class frigate was selected for the next-generation general purpose frigates of the Royal Australian Navy. As I stated then, this will be the first “2+2” meeting with Australia since holding one in Australia exactly a year ago in September 2024 and the first defense ministerial meeting in person since holding one in Singapore this June. Japan and Australia fully share the same values and strategic objectives. Defense cooperation has been enhanced in every area, including strategy, joint trainings and operational cooperation, and equipment and technology. Furthermore, we view that the recent decision on the next-generation general purpose frigates has elevated such Japan-Australia defense cooperation to new heights. At the meetings, the two sides will share their views on regional issues and hold concrete consultations toward further advancing bilateral security and defense cooperation. The meetings will undoubtedly be fruitful for both countries, and I am very much looking forward to meeting Defence Minister Marles at the meetings.