(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
I have two announcements today. I will visit Singapore from today, May 29, to June 1,* to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue. The Shangri-La Dialogue is a prestigious international conference that brings together numerous defense ministers and others from the Indo-Pacific region and beyond to discuss regional security challenges and related issues. As the security environment surrounding Japan becomes the most severe and complex since the end of World War II, the Shangri-La Dialogue is an optimal forum to effectively convey Japan’s defense policy visions not only to defense officials from around the world, but also to world-leading experts and practitioners as well as think tanks, and also provides a vital opportunity to exchange candid views with defense ministers and others from various countries. After arriving in Singapore, I will first hold a meeting with the President of Viet Nam this evening. Tomorrow, an inaugural trilateral meeting among Japan, Australia, and New Zealand will take place. Furthermore, I will hold my seventh meeting with Secretary Hegseth of the U.S. and engage in discussions to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance. With the U.K., we will discuss matters such as the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). With the Philippines, I intend to have discussions to make further progress on the transfer of Abukuma-class destroyers. Bilateral meetings are also scheduled with counterparts from countries such as the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. Time permitting, I hope to have time or opportunities to communicate with various heads of state, defense ministers, and other officials. During a session on May 31, I will deliver a speech in which I will highlight the direction of Japan’s initiatives and concrete actions for maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Through the Shangri-La Dialogue, I intend to further deepen Japan’s cooperation with its ally, like-minded countries, and other partners.
Second, the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) have decided to dispatch four SDF personnel to the headquarters of the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), located in Germany. NSATU is a NATO command that liaises and coordinates with countries for the provision of necessary security assistance and training to Ukraine. Dispatching SDF personnel to NSATU will contribute to strengthening Japan’s own defense capabilities by gaining lessons, including about the new ways of warfare observed in Ukraine. This dispatch follows the offer conveyed in April last year by former Minister Nakatani to Secretary General Rutte of NATO, expressing Japan’s intention to proceed with arrangements for participation in NSATU. The security of the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions is now inseparable. The fact that all coordination with the NATO side has been finalized, which leads to the dispatch, will further deepen Japan-NATO cooperation. I offered words of encouragement to the four SDF personnel who will be dispatched. I am confident that they will fully carry out their mission as representatives of Japan. That concludes my two opening remarks.
*“June 1” is incorrect. The correct date is May 31.