(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
At the outset today, I would like to inform you about the flight plan of the Blue Impulse. The FY2026 flight plan of the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) Blue Impulse is currently being finalized, so that it can be announced at the regular press conference of the ASDF Chief of Staff scheduled for this afternoon. The Blue Impulse is a unit that plays a core role in the public relations activities of the ASDF. Through demonstration flights at ASDF air festivals and national events, the Blue Impulse showcases the skill, discipline, and the results of routine training by the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in a visible manner. I believe the unit plays an extremely important role in deepening awareness and understanding of the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and the SDF among the wider public. I hope that many people will watch the impressive demonstrations of the Blue Impulse and remember that pilots as well as personnel from various fields, including maintenance, logistics, communications, and meteorology, support these spectacular flights. The Blue Impulse not only is the face of the ASDF but also represents all personnel of the Ground, Maritime, and Air SDF who steadily carry out rigorous daily duties, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. I encourage everyone to attend the various events planned for FY2026, see firsthand the perfectly coordinated flights, deepen their understanding of the activities of the MOD/SDF, and offer warm words of support to the personnel and their families.