(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
On Sunday, December 7, at the Ministry of Defense, I will hold a Japan-Australia defense ministerial meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia, the Hon Richard Marles MP. This will be my second in-person Japan-Australia defense ministerial meeting following the meeting held on the 2nd of last month in Malaysia. Defense cooperation between Japan and Australia is expanding into all areas. In addition, the selection of the Upgraded Mogami-Class Frigate for Australia’s future general purpose frigates in August this year elevates the bilateral defense cooperation. At the meeting, the two sides will share their recognition on the regional situation and hold a detailed discussion toward further progressing the defense cooperation between the two countries. Prior to the meeting, on Saturday, December 6, Deputy Prime Minister Marles is scheduled to visit Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works. The shipyard manufactures the Mogami-Class Frigate, and the visit is intended to deepen Deputy Prime Minister Marles’ understanding of the frigate’s building process and technology. Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Wakabayashi will be accompanying the Deputy Prime Minister on this visit. Building on this visit, I look forward to having a lively discussion on deepening the bilateral defense cooperation with Deputy Prime Minister Marles.