(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, I visited Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) together with U.S. Ambassador George Glass, and we jointly observed the production sites for the PAC-3 MSE and the SM-3 Block IIA. Afterwards, we visited PRODRONE, where we observed their drone production facilities. During the course of these visits, an earthquake centered off the coast of Okinawa Main Island occurred, and a maximum seismic intensity of upper 5 was recorded in Yoron Town, Kagoshima Prefecture. Immediately following the earthquake, I instructed my secretary to promptly ascertain information regarding any damage. In response, various units and others gathered information, and liaison officers from the 12th Infantry Regiment and the Kagoshima Provincial Cooperation Office were dispatched to the Kagoshima Prefectural Government. We will continue activities including careful information gathering on the situation. Now then, amid the increasingly severe security environment, I recognize that securing necessary guided missiles is an urgent issue for both Japan and the United States. At the recent DICAS 2.0 meeting, we concurred on accelerating consideration of concrete measures that would contribute to strengthening production capacity for the joint production of the PAC-3 MSE, as well as to accelerate consideration aimed at increasing production of the SM-3 Block IIA by approximately fourfold. In that sense, today’s visit to MHI with Ambassador Glass provided an excellent opportunity to deepen bilateral cooperative relations and advance concrete considerations. In addition, at PRODRONE, I was informed that the company is scheduled to obtain Class I certification next month, which would enable Level 4 flight. I heard about highly advanced initiatives, including the development of fully domestically produced drones incorporating domestically manufactured components, as well as the establishment of a mass-production framework involving related component manufacturers, and I was able to observe the production facilities firsthand. Until now, one challenge facing Japanese drone companies has been the lack of attack drones capable of responding to an enemy invading Japan. However, today at PRODRONE, I was told that development has now been completed, and I was shown the aircraft itself. I believe this was an excellent opportunity to deepen consideration regarding the ideal state of Japan’s domestic production and technological base capable of supporting transformation to have a structure that leads the world in leveraging unmanned assets. As I mentioned during my press conference yesterday, the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) has recently lifted restrictions on investments in businesses related to weapons and weapon-related products, with the exception of inhumane weapons prohibited under international treaties. I was also informed here at PRODRONE that discussions with DBJ are already underway. Seeing that these policies are already beginning to support the defense industry so quickly gave me a strong sense of encouragement. I believe that it is important to promote the correct understanding that the defense industry is one that serves the public interest as it is directly connected to protecting the lives of the Japanese people, and that it can also contribute to Japan’s economic growth through ripple effects into the civilian sector, including the creation of new technologies that benefit the everyday life of citizens. The Ministry of Defense (MOD) will continue to firmly convey information that will help support these efforts. Furthermore, I would like to ask not only DBJ, but also other financial institutions and investment organizations, to support startups entering the defense sector and to help strengthen the defense industry. Based on these visits, we will continue advancing efforts related to the joint development and joint production of missiles, as well as initiatives aimed at building the domestic production and technological base for unmanned assets, as we firmly work to reinforce Japan’s defense capabilities. That is all from me.