(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
I will visit the U.S. next week, from Monday, January 12 to Sunday, January 18. First, on Monday, the 12th, in Honolulu, I will hold a meeting with Adm. Sam Paparo, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and deliver a speech at the Honolulu Defense Forum. On Tuesday, the 13th, in Los Angeles, I will visit a drone-related company and attend a reception commemorating the 15th anniversary of Operation Tomodachi. I will then visit Washington, D.C. and hold my fourth meeting with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Thursday, the 15th. In my speech at the Honolulu Defense Forum, I intend to emphasize Japan’s resolve to play a leading role in promoting the peace and stability of the region, at a time when countries in the region face common challenges. In Los Angeles, there will be a networking opportunity for Japanese and U.S. defense industry stakeholders, at which I will act as the leading salesperson for Japan’s defense industry. At my meeting with Secretary Hegseth, I look forward to holding discussions to quickly move our initiatives forward to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, building on the personal trust that has been developed between us. Through this visit, I want to convey a message, both domestically and internationally, that the Japan-U.S. Alliance is bound by an unprecedently strong bond and that Japan is firmly committed to working together with the U.S. to safeguard regional peace and stability.