(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
At the Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) defense ministerial meeting held in Yokosuka in January, Minister Ahn and I confirmed to conduct mutual visits by the two ministers and to hold regular defense ministerial meetings. This visit to the ROK delivers on that agreement. As my visit to the ROK comes less than five months after Minister Ahn visited Japan, the agreement to conduct mutual visits by the two ministers has been achieved in a short period. There have been only two previous occasions in which the defense ministers made mutual visits in a single year, and this is the first time in 23 years. I also understand that the Japanese and ROK ministers had never visited each other’s hometowns before. Yesterday, aboard Minister Ahn’s helicopter, I visited Wonju Air Base, home to the ROK Air Force’s Black Eagles aerobatic team, and I sat in the cockpit of a Black Eagles aircraft. These experiences in the ROK were all firsts for a foreign defense minister. In the past, I have been aboard the Air Self-Defense Force’s Blue Impulse aircraft. At the base, I observed the Black Eagles aircraft together with Minister Ahn and exchanged views with personnel. This morning, I held my sixth Japan-ROK defense ministerial meeting with Minister Ahn at the Ministry of National Defense building. At the meeting, we confirmed the steady progress in our tangible defense cooperation, which is founded on a strong relationship of trust between us as leaders. They include mutual visits between the two ministers and regular defense ministerial meetings, the holding of a Japan-ROK search and rescue exercise (SAREX) for the first time in approximately nine years, and discussions on AI between defense authorities. We shared the view to continue cooperating to maintain regional peace and stability amid a severe security environment. We also reaffirmed our commitment to the complete denuclearization of and the establishment of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula, and concurred to continue Japan-ROK and Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation. In particular, we concurred to continue advancing cooperation and exchanges between the two countries’ aerobatic teams, building on the visit to Japan by the ROK Air Force Black Eagles; further evolve SAREX in preparation for a range of maritime accident scenarios; conduct discussions on Japan-ROK defense equipment and technology cooperation, taking into account Japan’s changes in policy on defense equipment transfers; and continue exchanging views between Japan and the ROK, not only on AI, but also on other areas of advanced science and technology cooperation. Yesterday, there was a joint flight by Chinese and Russian bombers. Their repeated joint flights by bombers demonstrate that activities in the periphery of Japan are expanding and intensifying and are a clear demonstration of force against Japan. The fact that Minister Ahn and I were able to exchange views and information on cases like this in a timely manner also made this visit meaningful. After the meeting, this afternoon, I held a dialogue with Korean students and young professionals, as well as Japanese students studying in the ROK. I was told that Japanese and ROK defense ministers had never jointly engaged in dialogue with young people from both countries in this manner. The arrangements made by Minister Ahn to realize these initiatives, and the very warm welcome we received today by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, which opened for us even on a Sunday, are, I believe, an example of how defense cooperation between the two countries is moving into an unprecedented new dimension. Following this dialogue, our now customary table tennis event was held. In January, Minister Ahn and I played a singles match in Yokosuka. This time, we formed a doubles team and played against Japanese and Korean students. The doubles match ended with me somehow managing to return the ball and Minister Ahn brilliantly executing a smash in the finale. I believe we were able to display excellent teamwork that foreshadows the promising future for Japan-ROK defense cooperation. Minister Ahn and I have held meetings at an unprecedented pace, and, during my visit to the ROK, many first-ever initiatives were realized as I just explained. These facts testify to the unparalleled friendly Japan-ROK relationship and to the steady buildup of defense cooperation and exchanges. I am confident that the rally we began in January will strengthen our mutual relationship of trust and will undoubtedly continue going forward. Through the promotion of mutual understanding and trust, I remain committed to strengthening Japan-ROK communication and efforts, with a view to advancing stable and future-oriented defense cooperation and exchanges between the two countries. That concludes my opening remarks.