(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, I visited the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) Yokota Air Base and the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) Yokosuka Area. Both are operated day to day through close coordination between the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and the U.S. forces and are pivotal to the defense of Japan. At Yokota Air Base, I visited the Air Defense Command Headquarters, which gave me a firsthand understanding of how difficult it is to protect Japanese skies from threats. One of our top priorities is responding to aerial threats, including North Korea’s ballistic missile launches, which also took place soon after I assumed office as Defense Minister, and flights by Russian bombers near Japanese airspace. In addition, this Yokosuka Area and Funakoshi Area, where I will visit next, serve as command centers for various MSDF duties, ranging from surveillance of areas surrounding Japan to intelligence-gathering activities in the Middle East by destroyers and patrol aircraft. In Yokosuka Area, I saw the state-of-the-art destroyer JS KUMANO. JS KUMANO is the second ship of the MOGAMI-class frigate (FFM) and the base model for the frigates that will be transferred to Australia for which procedures are now under way. As its distinctively sloped exterior with minimal unevenness indicates, it has excellent stealth capabilities and enables lean manning, allowing it to operate with around 90 crew members, which is half that of conventional destroyers. A short while ago, someone from the Australian side remarked that if their daughter or child were to board JS KUMANO or FFM MOGAMI, their life may be safer. Hearing such thoughts has reinforced my determination to engage in defense diplomacy as Defense Minister and promote sales of Japan’s technologies. I have also renewed my pride in every MSDF personnel as well as my determination to protect the lives of MSDF personnel and their families. I was keenly made aware that JS KUMANO is a state-of-the-art destroyer and a culmination of the outstanding technological capabilities possessed by the Japanese defense industry. Yokosuka is my hometown where I was born and raised. Being here today as Defense Minister responsible for national defense fills me with a renewed sense of resolve. As Defense Minister, I will always lead all SDF personnel and work together with them in fulfilling the noble mission of defending Japan.