(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
This visit to Türkiye marks the first by a Japanese Minister of Defense. Yesterday, I held a Japan-Türkiye Defense Ministerial Meeting with Minister of National Defence Güler. Minister Güler and I confirmed the advancements of cooperation made between defense authorities, such as high-level exchanges, unit-level exchanges, and exchanges in the education field, based on our Statement of Intent on Defense Cooperation and Exchanges. Upon that, we affirmed to further expand defense cooperation between Japan and Türkiye, building on our Defense Ministerial Meeting, and confirmed to hold a dialogue among the defense working level to discuss concrete cooperation fields. In addition, we exchanged views on possible cooperation in the field of defense technology and equipment, and concurred to start a discussion between equipment authorities toward realizing exchanges between the defense industries of Japan and Türkiye. Furthermore, Minister Güler and I exchanged opinions on the security environment surrounding both countries and on various challenges in the international community, and concurred to collaborate together for the peace and stability of the region. Subsequently, I held talks with the Secretary of Defence Industries of the Secretariat of Defence Industries (SSB), during which we exchanged views on possible future cooperation on defense equipment and technology between Japan and Türkiye. Specifically, there are three items. First, the Türkiye side expressed interest in Japan’s minesweeping capabilities. Second, the Japan side expressed interest in Türkiye’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry. To explore possible cooperation in these areas, third, we decided to launch working-level dialogues between Türkiye’s SSB and Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA), as well as between the industries of the two countries, to discuss the details of each other’s export controls and industry capabilities. Furthermore, yesterday, I visited TUSAŞ, a company which manufactures UAVs, and today, I visited a naval shipyard. I witnessed firsthand the advancements made by the defense industry of Türkiye, which has promoted domestic production with much emphasis. Going forward, I expect that outcomes will emerge from the working-level dialogues. While the shift toward domestic production has been driven by various diplomatic factors, Türkiye’s pursuit of domestic production is demonstrating that this is possible if a country endeavors to do so. Türkiye conducts defense equipment cooperation with quite a large number of countries, and I was impressed by the considerable effort placed in cultivating its defense industry alongside domestic production. During this visit to Türkiye, it was highly fruitful that Japan and Türkiye, a longtime friend, were able to share their views on a concrete pathway for further advancing defense cooperation in various fields. We will fully follow up on these achievements at the working level and advance concrete cooperation. Additionally, I will visit Jordan from tomorrow. I am scheduled to hold meetings with Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Hassan, as well as with Major General Al-Hnaity, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Jordan is playing a significant role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and is Japan’s strategic partner in the region. When Japanese nationals were transported from Lebanon last year, Jordan allowed the Self-Defense Force aircraft to use its airport and facilities. As such, Japan and Jordan have developed strong friendly relations. During tomorrow’s meetings, I intend to affirm our intention to further deepen defense cooperation and exchanges between the two countries.