(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, I have two announcements at the outset. The first is about Defense of Japan 2026. At the Cabinet meeting today, I explained about and distributed Defense of Japan 2026. A team at the white paper office comprised of the deputy director general in charge of the white paper, members of the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces, and civilian officials was formed and prepared the defense white paper. This year’s white paper was prepared with the sincere hope that it will be read by those who have an interest in defense and security as well as by those who may not have had an opportunity to pick up a copy before. Security is inextricably linked with the daily lives of every Japanese citizen and the future. Therefore, through repeated trial and error, the team exercised creativity in both content and presentation to communicate the challenges facing the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and its activities. Specifically, the following four approaches were adopted. First, alongside explaining the security environment surrounding Japan, a new chapter was created on the efforts that countries are making to adapt to new ways of warfare, including the use of unmanned assets and artificial intelligence (AI). Second, under the theme of “Security for the Future,” a new “Part” describes the situation surrounding defense production and technological bases and explains the broad benefits of reinforcing these bases for the economy and people’s daily lives, as well as the significance of revising the “Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology” and the “Implementation Guidelines.” Third, a new chapter entitled “The Professionalism of JSDF Personnel” was created. It introduces our proud SDF personnel who carry out a wide range of missions and the perspectives of family members who support these personnel. Lastly, in order to make the content of the white paper accessible to many people, the MOD for the first time made explanatory videos using AI avatars. It has also released a booklet rich in visuals. They are easy to understand even for those who may not be familiar with security issues, so I hope that people will take a look. I hope that this year’s defense white paper will deepen people’s understanding of defense and security in Japan and provide an opportunity to reflect on how security is connected to the future of every individual. Incidentally, this is the cover of this year’s defense white paper. Ideas for the cover were also brainstormed with much time and effort by the members of the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces and civilian officials at the white paper office. I encourage everyone to pick up a copy.
The second announcement is about another booklet, “All You Need to Know! Defense of Japan 2026.” To help deepen understanding on the MOD/SDF and the importance of Japan’s defense for elementary, junior high, and high school students who will shape the future, we released today “All You Need to Know! Defense of Japan,” which is an introductory guide to the defense of Japan. The booklet is available on the MOD’s website for children, so please take a look. Regarding the booklet’s distribution to schools, I stated at my press conference on June 19 that we were considering distribution not only to elementary schools but also to junior high and high schools in the future. Upon consulting with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, we have decided from today to begin consulting about the distribution with prefectural boards of education and prefectural departments responsible for private schools. This year, the booklet will be distributed to any boards of education and schools that would like a copy. Interested boards of education and schools are urged to contact the MOD at the email address provided. This is not the white paper but “All You Need to Know! Defense of Japan.” I ask any interested boards of education and prefectural officials to contact the MOD. That concludes my opening remarks.