(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
I would like to inform you about the defense ministerial meeting between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK). Today, from 2:45 p.m. to 3:25 p.m., I held a ministerial meeting with Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-Back of the ROK. This is the first time in 10 years since 2015 that a visit by the Japanese Defense Minister to the ROK and a Japan-ROK defense ministerial meeting in the ROK have been realized. Minister Ahn and I held a video conference just last month, shortly after he was appointed Minister of National Defense. I am delighted that an in-person defense ministerial meeting has been realized not long afterwards. Minister Ahn and I have actually exchanged views in February 2019 at the Japan-ROK security strategic dialogue in Seoul, the ROK. This was a private-sector forum. At the time, Minister Ahn was serving as Chairperson of the National Defense Committee and was attending the strategic dialogue. I was also there as a member of the House of Representatives. Today, we concurred on promoting both Japan-ROK and Japan-ROK-U.S. defense cooperation amid a rapidly changing security environment. In addition, we exchanged views on Japan-ROK defense cooperation and exchanges. We concurred on further activating mutual visits by Defense Ministers, regular talks between defense authorities including defense ministerial meetings, as well as people-to-people exchanges. Furthermore, we concurred on exploring possible cooperation in the area of cutting-edge science and technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), unmanned systems, and outer space. As for Japan-ROK-U.S. cooperation, the three countries have so far conducted the multi-domain multilateral exercise “FREEDOM EDGE” and shared North Korean missile warning data in real time. Minister Ahn and I concurred on continuing such trilateral cooperation to address North Korean nuclear and missile threats. I had lunch with Minister Ahn prior to the meeting. A strong relationship of trust was developed between us throughout today. As a side note, at the luncheon, Minister Ahn described the relationship of trust as “Bu tong ze tong, Tong ze bu tong.” This is a Chinese medical saying that means when the qi, blood, and fluids in the body flow smoothly, you do not feel pain, but when the flow is obstructed, there is pain. In other words, smooth communication is important. In addition, Minister Ahn and I completely shared the recognition that it is becoming ever-more important to strengthen Japan-ROK and Japan-ROK-U.S. defense cooperation to realize stability in an increasingly complex security environment. I believe we were able to send a forward-looking message for achieving regional peace and stability. Based on the spirit of One Cooperative Effort Among Nations: Perspective for the Indo-Pacific (OCEAN), the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces will continue to strengthen Japan-ROK and Japan-ROK-U.S. defense cooperation with the new ROK administration, alongside promoting multilayered defense cooperation.