(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Last evening, I paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party and President of Viet Nam. General Secretary To Lam expressed the view that it was vitally important to strengthen Japan-Viet Nam security relations and contribute to peace and stability in the region, based on our bilateral relationship of trust. He also stated that, at the Japan-Viet Nam summit meeting early this month, he held meaningful discussions with Prime Minister Takaichi, and that the two leaders concurred on strengthening cooperation in a wide range of areas, including security. I extended my congratulations on the inauguration of Viet Nam’s new leadership, and conveyed my intention to enhance cooperation between our defense authorities by building on the political trust between the leaders. I explained about the revision of Japan’s defense equipment and technology transfer framework, and we concurred on further strengthening defense cooperation between Japan and Viet Nam, noting that defense equipment and technology cooperation was particularly important for ensuring peace and stability in the region. Furthermore, we concurred that, under the leadership of Minister of National Defence Giang and myself, a working group on equipment and technology transfers will hold substantive discussions with greater urgency than ever before, and that the outcomes of these discussions will be reported to our respective leaders. Then, this morning, I held the inaugural Japan-Australia-New Zealand trilateral defence ministers’ meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Marles of Australia and Minister of Defence Penk of New Zealand. At the meeting, we exchanged candid views on the current issues facing the region. In addition, we welcomed the visit of the Mogami-class frigate JS Kumano to Australia and New Zealand, where it conducted activities to enhance cooperation with both navies, including joint exercises. I welcomed the announcement by the Government of New Zealand that the upgraded Mogami-class frigate has been announced as one of the candidates for the replacement of its Anzac-class frigates. I stated that, if New Zealand selects the upgraded Mogami-class frigate, it could lead to enhancing interoperability and interchangeability among the three countries and make a significant contribution to regional peace and stability. I then listened to U.S. Secretary of War Hegseth’s speech during the First Session of the Shangri-La Dialogue. First of all, what is important above all is the fact that Secretary Hegseth came to the Shangri-La Dialogue and delivered a speech amid the attention being drawn to the situation in the Middle East. This demonstrates firmly and clearly that the U.S. attaches importance to the Indo-Pacific. Moreover, I asked a question during the Q&A session following Secretary Hegseth’s speech and received a strong message from Secretary Hegseth regarding the U.S. commitment to and engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, which I believe has positive implications for the region as a whole. I then held a Japan-U.K. defense ministerial meeting with Secretary of State for Defence Healey of the U.K. At the meeting, we welcomed continuous engagement between the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the British Armed Forces through mutual asset visits, including the visit to Japan by the HMS Spey U.K. patrol vessel this May, and joint exercises, and confirmed to continue closely working together to further strengthen bilateral defense cooperation including the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). Additionally, I just held my first Japan-New Zealand defense ministerial meeting in person with Defense Minister Penk of New Zealand. Following on from the trilateral defense ministers’ meeting in the morning, we discussed the replacement of the ANZAC-class frigates, and I conveyed Japan’s intention to continue close coordination, including through the provision of information. We conducted a meaningful exchange of views for aligning our perceptions of regional affairs, and concurred to continue close coordination through cooperation with Pacific Island countries and joint exercises. Later today, I will hold a Japan-U.S. defense ministerial meeting and a Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) defense ministerial meeting. At my seventh Japan-U.S. defense ministerial meeting with Secretary Hegseth, we will hold in-depth discussions to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Alliance. At my fifth Japan-ROK defense ministerial meeting with Minister Ahn, we will discuss regional affairs and Japan-ROK defense cooperation and exchange, and reaffirm the will to continue promoting defense cooperation between Japan-ROK and Japan-U.S.-ROK. I look forward to actively exchanging views with the recognition that the Indo-Pacific region is currently confronted with severe challenges. That concludes my opening remarks.