(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
I have been re-entrusted to serve as Minister of Defense. I assume this position with a renewed sense of heavy responsibility. It is a pleasure to be able to work again at the Ministry of Defense (MOD) with State Minister Miyazaki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida, and Parliamentary Vice-Minister Wakabayashi. As I have stated repeatedly since assuming office last year, my top priorities are to protect the lives and peaceful livelihoods of the Japanese people; resolutely defend Japan’s territorial land, waters, and airspace; and safeguard all members of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) who carry out these duties, and their families. These remain my foremost mission as Minister of Defense. A short while ago, Prime Minister Takaichi issued new instructions to the members of the Cabinet. As Minister of Defense, I received new instructions on, among other matters, revising the three strategic documents and the Implementation Guidelines for the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology; steadily advancing the joint development of the next-generation fighter aircraft with the UK and Italy; and conducting exchanges at various occasions to increase exports of Japan’s products, services, and infrastructure to like-minded countries. Based on the Prime Minister’s instructions, I will act swiftly to address critically important and historic security initiatives for Japan, including revising the three documents by the end of this year, ahead of schedule, reviewing the Implementation Guidelines for the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, and initiating an independent revision of the SDF salary schedule, which is to be implemented in FY2027 for the first time in approximately 70 years since the establishment of the SDF. The public’s understanding is indispensable to realizing these initiatives. I will continue making efforts to proactively communicate information in order to ensure the public’s understanding of the realities of the severe security environment, as well as the efforts of the MOD/SDF, including the contributions and hardships of personnel on the ground. Under Prime Minister Takaichi’s leadership, I am determined to stand at the forefront of our 250,000 SDF personnel across the country and devote myself wholeheartedly to fulfilling my duties with a sense of urgency.
I would also like to say a few words about the Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue (JPIDD), which will be held this weekend. MOD will hold the third JPIDD in Tokyo from February 22 to 24. JPIDD is a multilateral meeting hosted by MOD, with the aim of deepening mutual understanding with defense ministers and others from the Pacific Islands region, further strengthening trust, and promoting further defense cooperation and exchanges. The upcoming meeting will be attended by partner countries from Pacific Island countries and region, and for the first time, ASEAN countries as observers. Participants from a total of 28 countries and one organization are expected to attend. Furthermore, on this occasion, I will hold meetings with the defense ministers of three Pacific Island countries with armed forces: Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga. Japan and Pacific Island countries are both maritime nations that benefit from the Pacific Ocean, and we have extremely important relationships bound by historically rooted bonds or Kizuna. We are also important partners sharing fundamental values, such as freedom and democracy, as well as the importance of a free and open international order based on the rule of law. Through frank and wide-ranging exchanges of views at this meeting, I intend to firmly strengthen our trust with the defense ministers and others from participating countries and deepen cooperative relationships with the countries to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”