(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, I have two announcements at the outset. First, today, June 12, Friday, I will visit Indonesia and pay a courtesy call on President Prabowo, during which we will exchange views joined by Minister of Defense Sjafrie. Minister Sjafrie proposed that I pay a courtesy call on President Prabowo and exchange views with the President and the Minister regarding the progress of our bilateral defense cooperation and the direction of future defense cooperation, among other matters. Japan-Indonesia defense cooperation is a matter of critical interest to President Prabowo, who previously served as Minister of Defense. During the Japan-Indonesia Summit Meeting in March as well, President Prabowo expressed his desire to advance defense cooperation. Shortly thereafter, at last week’s defense ministerial meeting, we reached a consensus to start discussions on materializing the transfer of Asagiri-class destroyers and other equipment. I believe that the exchange of views on defense cooperation and other matters joined by President Prabowo will provide a valuable opportunity to make steadier progress in bilateral defense cooperation, including defense equipment and technology cooperation, and will be of great significance. I will also hold my sixth defense ministerial meeting with Minister Sjafrie. At the meeting, I intend to confirm with Minister Sjafrie that we would continue to work closely together to advance discussions in a timely manner on strengthening defense cooperation, such as materializing the transfer of equipment including Asagiri-class destroyers that we concurred on at last week’s defense ministerial meeting. Indonesia is a strategically important country located in a key point along Japan’s sea lanes and, as a fellow maritime nation, is an essential partner for strengthening defense cooperation. Through this visit, I intend to further develop the cooperative relationship between Japan and Indonesia.
The second announcement is about the holding of a Japan-Netherlands defense ministerial meeting. Next week, on June 16, Tuesday, I will hold a Japan-Netherlands defense ministerial meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Yeşilgöz‑Zegerius of the Netherlands at the Ministry of Defense. I met with Deputy Prime Minister Yeşilgöz‑Zegerius during the Shangri-La Dialogue at the end of May, and I am delighted that we can meet again so soon. The Deputy Prime Minister will visit Japan coinciding with the port call of Royal Netherlands Navy frigate, HNLMS De Ruyter, at the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal, from June 15 to 17. This port call demonstrates the Netherlands’ engagement in the Indo-Pacific region in a tangible manner and contributes to the further strengthening of Japan-Netherlands defense cooperation. I wholeheartedly welcome the port call, which has great significance in today’s world where the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is inseparable. As I mentioned during a session at the Shangri-La Dialogue, the Japan versus Netherlands match of the FIFA World Cup will take place early in the morning on June 15. I plan to watch the match together with the Deputy Prime Minister at the Embassy of the Netherlands. Although I will be at an away venue, I will be cheering for Team Japan believing in its victory. Whatever the outcome, I am confident that my friendship with the Deputy Prime Minister will remain unchanged. At the meeting on June 16, I hope we can share our recognition of regional affairs, hold candid and substantive discussions toward further deepening Japan-Netherlands defense cooperation, and build a stronger relationship of trust. That concludes my opening remarks.