(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
I will visit Australia from today, April 17, to April 19, to attend a Japan-Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting and an event aboard the destroyer JS Kumano. Japan and Australia, two countries with fully shared values and strategic goals, are a central pillar of coordination among like-minded countries. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Japan and Australia. As is indicated in Australia’s National Defence Strategy released yesterday, which continues to identify Japan as an “indispensable partner,” I believe strategic alignment between our two countries remains intact, both in our recognition of the security environment and in the direction of Japan-Australia defense cooperation. The Japan-Australia Defense Ministerial Meeting between myself and Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Richard Marles MP will be our sixth, following on from the meeting held in Tokyo on the 8th of this month. The meetings have allowed me to establish a strong personal relationship with Deputy Prime Minister Marles. On this occasion, in Melbourne, where Deputy Prime Minister Marles was born, we intend to have candid and concrete discussions toward further deepening Japan-Australia defense cooperation, taking into account Australia’s new National Defence Strategy.
Second, I have an announcement about the dispatch of a Self-Defense Force (SDF) officer to the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS). The “Dispatch of an SDF Officer to UNMISS,” which was deliberated and approved at the National Security Council’s 9-minister meeting on April 14, was approved at the Cabinet meeting today. The Military Component Chief of Staff will be dispatched from May 11, 2026 for one year. Under the Force Commander and Deputy Commander, the Chief of Staff post, to which the SDF officer will be dispatched, oversees operations of various departments such as personnel, information, operations, logistics, and planning at the force headquarters. It is the highest-ranking post ever held by Japanese personnel deployed to United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations (PKO). Fulfilling responsibilities in such a key and high-rank position leads to Japan’s proactive contribution to international peace and is significant for building a desirable security environment of Japan. The Ministry of Defense (MOD) and SDF will continue to contribute to international peace and stability, including personnel contributions to UN PKO.
Third, I have an announcement about partial land return in Camp Zukeran. The MOD has been working to achieve the return of facilities and areas of U.S. forces south of Kadena under the “Consolidation Plan for Facilities and Areas in Okinawa.” Regarding part of the Kishaba Housing area in Camp Zukeran, at a meeting of the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee yesterday, April 16, the two sides noted the progress made in the relocation and construction of family housing, and agreed that the area will be returned after completing relocation to family housing currently under construction and after implementing measures necessary for the return, including installation of new boundary fences. Part of the Kishaba Housing area to be returned will be used to widen Prefectural Road 81. I understand that this Prefectural Road 81 is a main road connecting eastern and western Okinawa Prefecture and is used by many people there, and that the people strongly wish for the reduction of chronic traffic congestion on this road. If the return of this area is realized, it will enable the current two-lane road to be widened to a four-lane road, which is expected to reduce the congestion that had been a longstanding concern of the people. The MOD will continue to make every effort to achieve the return of the area as soon as possible. That concludes my three opening remarks.