(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, I visited Fuchu Air Base of the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF). Fuchu Air Base, alongside Yokota Air Base, form the core bases of the ASDF’s operations. My first stop, the Air Support Command Headquarters, serves as a command tower for the Air Support Command. Through air traffic control, meteorological observation, and other activities, the headquarters supports the command’s duty to protect Japanese airspace in various forms. Leveraging its transport capabilities, the headquarters also operates the government aircraft and transports Japanese nationals in the event of overseas conflicts. The personnel who are engaged in wide-ranging activities at home and abroad carry out each duty with high morale and dedication. I saw this firsthand, and it was truly reassuring. Next, I visited the Space Operations Group. Ensuring stable use of outer space, which is the group’s duty, has become essential for maintaining the foundation of the daily lives of the people. It is scheduled to be elevated to the Space Operations Wing in FY2025 and to the Space Operations Command in FY2026. The ASDF will also be reorganized into the Air and Space Self-Defense Force. As the importance of the space domain continues to grow, other countries are stepping up the development of technologies to jam or neutralize satellites. The Ministry of Defense (MOD) and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) will continue reinforcing Japan’s capabilities to ensure stable use of outer space and fulfill our duty of protecting the lives and peaceful livelihoods of Japanese nationals. It was highly meaningful that I could offer words of encouragement today to personnel who are earnestly carrying out these new important duties. Afterwards, I exchanged views with members of cooperation associations and relevant organizations who continuously support SDF personnel and their families, and the ASDF Central Band performed right in front of me. Including through subsequent photo opportunities with families of the personnel, I once again received courage and power seeing the work and the musical performance by the ASDF Central Band members, who nobly fulfill their mission of protecting the nation through music day after day. The SDF Marching Festival was also wonderful. I am confident that they will certainly continue to demonstrate their capabilities in conducting international exchanges and boosting the SDF’s morale. I am proud of each and every personnel I encountered through this visit. They are dedicating themselves to their duties across diverse fields to fulfill their shared mission of protecting and defending Japan. As Minister of Defense, I will stand at the forefront of these personnel and make every effort to address the challenges we face, with a strong determination to protecting the lives and peaceful livelihoods of Japanese nationals and protecting all personnel engaged in these duties and their families.
Today, I would like to make one more announcement. It is about the budget for security. Last Friday, November 28, the supplementary budget proposal for FY2025 was approved in the Cabinet meeting. Considering the current security environment, the MOD has allocated for expenses related to reinforcing the SDF’s human resource base, in order to swiftly establish an environment where all personnel can focus on their duties with high morale and fully demonstrate their capabilities. As a result, more than 80% of barrack rooms will be converted into private spaces, and air-conditioning systems will be installed around three months earlier than planned. We have also allocated for expenses to introduce higher-performance counter-drone equipment as early as possible, which will enable the detection, identification, and jamming of drones intruding into SDF bases. We will take all possible measures to enhance base security and strengthen the operational foundation of the SDF. Furthermore, with rising personnel and material costs and other factors creating a challenging environment for the defense industry, funding will be swiftly provided to companies manufacturing SDF equipment. This will help stabilize and expedite deliveries, which in turn will enhance defense capabilities. At the same time, to mitigate the impact on local communities while strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, we will steadily implement the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, such as efforts for the relocation of carrier-based aircraft and efforts related to the relocation of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma to Henoko for realizing the total return of MCAS Futenma as early as possible, with land reclamation work beginning last week. A total of 847.2 billion yen has been allocated. In this supplementary budget proposal, in addition to the MOD’s budget, security-related expenses include approximately 0.2 trillion yen earmarked for expenses under the jurisdiction of relevant ministries, including the Japan Coast Guard, and approximately 0.1 trillion yen for expenses needed for cybersecurity. The budget across the Government is around 1.1 trillion yen. Combined with the initial budget of around 9.9 trillion yen, the total is around 11 trillion yen. As a result, in FY2025, Japan will bring forward the achievement of the goal to increase the defense budget level to 2% of GDP as set out in the National Security Strategy. To ensure public understanding in further reinforcing Japan’s defense capabilities, we will continue providing careful explanations, and following submission of the supplementary budget to the Diet, the Government will provide thorough explanations in the Diet.