(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, I have one announcement at the outset. From tomorrow, June 27, to June 28, I will visit the Republic of Korea (ROK) for the first time since assuming office as Defense Minister. I will hold the sixth Japan-ROK defense ministerial meeting with Mr. Ahn Gyu‑back, Minister of National Defense of the ROK. Our previous meeting was in Singapore at the end of May. This visit is an outcome of our agreement to conduct mutual visits by the two ministers and to hold regular defense ministerial meetings, which we reached this past January when I welcomed Minister Ahn to my hometown of Yokosuka. In addition to the defense ministerial meeting, my schedule in the ROK includes visiting the ROK Air Force’s Black Eagles aerobatic team, having a dialogue with young people in the ROK, and holding a talk with Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun. As the regional security environment becomes increasingly severe and complex, Japan-ROK cooperation and Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation remain more important than ever. Through this visit to the ROK, I look forward to sharing views on the regional situation and holding discussions toward the realization of stable and future-oriented Japan-ROK defense cooperation and exchanges, and thereby further deepen my relationship of trust with Minister Ahn and continue our shuttle defense diplomacy. That concludes my opening remarks.