(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, at the Munich Security Conference, which I attended as the first Japanese Minister of Defense to do so in six years, I held a total of six meetings with defense ministers and other counterparts. In addition, I delivered a speech on Japan’s security and defense policy on the main stage of the conference. In my speech, I emphasized that the security of the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic are inseparable. I also directly conveyed to participants from various countries three key points: Japan’s security policy initiatives, Japan’s security concerns and its fundamental stance, and the further strengthening of cooperation with Japan’s ally and like-minded partners. I believe that having the opportunity to communicate these points directly was extremely meaningful in advancing future defense cooperation and exchanges. Next, with regard to my meetings with defense ministers and other counterparts from various countries, during my meetings with the United Kingdom and Italy, we held candid and constructive exchanges of views on the future direction of GCAP. My meeting with Secretary General Mark Rutte of NATO marked our third meeting in three consecutive months. We concurred that the importance of cooperation between Japan and NATO, as well as between NATO and the IP4, is growing in the context of strengthening deterrence, and that such cooperation should be strengthened more than ever. I also had the opportunity to hear about yesterday’s successful NATO Defence Ministers’ Meeting. In my meeting with Defence Minister Judith Collins of New Zealand, we concurred on further developing cooperation both within the IP4 framework and in the area of defense equipment, building upon the progress made in bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges. In my meeting with Minister of National Defence David J. McGuinty of Canada, we welcomed the recent entry into force of the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of Canada on the Security of Information, and shared the recognition that the security of the Indo-Pacific and that of the Euro-Atlantic are inseparable. Furthermore, I held a meeting with Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; Senator Thomas Tillis; Senator Mark Kelly; and Senator Ruben Gallego of the United States. We exchanged candid views on the security environment and further strengthening of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, and reaffirmed our commitment to working together for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. Tomorrow, I will continue to attend various meetings in order to firmly build relationships of trust with counterparts from around the world.