(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
I have two announcements about legislation today. First, the Bill Partially Amending the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Defense was approved by the Cabinet today. This legislation is essential for transforming the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to ensure that they can respond to the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II, and for improving the treatment of SDF personnel. Specifically, organizational restructuring will be carried out, including increasing the number of State Minister of Defense from one to two, reorganizing the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) into the Air and Space Self-Defense Force, and turning the 15th Brigade into a division. In addition, we will make continued efforts to fundamentally reinforce the human resource base, including raising the level of compensation provided to SDF personnel who retired early and expanding support for their re-employment. The bill will be deliberated in the Diet going forward. I intend to carefully explain its content and necessity to obtain the understanding of many Japanese people.
The second announcement is about a cabinet order. The Cabinet Order for Partial Revision of the Order for Enforcement of the Self-Defense Forces Act concerning the establishment and reorganization of major units in FY2025 was approved at today’s Cabinet meeting. The units will be established and reorganized on March 23. The main ones are as follows. First, the Ground Self-Defense Force will establish the Logistics School. The Ordnance, Quartermaster, and Transport and Logistics Schools will be consolidated into a single school, which will enable cross-cutting education, training, and research related to logistics support. Second, the Maritime Self-Defense Force will establish the Fleet Surface Force and the Information Warfare/Operations Command. The Fleet Surface Force will include destroyers, minesweepers, and other vessels and will develop readiness to sustain high speed and activity volume. The Information Warfare/Operations Command will consolidate units with information warfare functions in order to strengthen rapid response capabilities for information warfare. Lastly, the ASDF will establish the Space Operations Wing. The Space Operations Group, which currently has approximately 310 personnel engaged in outer space monitoring, among other operations, will be expanded to approximately 670 personnel as a unit specializing in space. We will work to strengthen space operations capabilities, looking ahead to the reorganization of the ASDF into the Air and Space Self-Defense Force in FY2026. All of these measures are greatly significant for Japan’s defense. We will continue to promote the transformation of defense capabilities to protect the lives and livelihoods of Japanese people in any situation. That concludes my opening remarks about two announcements.