(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today I have two announcements. My first announcement is about the conclusion of the international disaster relief activities in Indonesia. In light of the results of consultations with the Government of Indonesia, today I ordered the Commander, Japan Self-Defense Forces Joint Operations Command, to conclude the international disaster relief activities for the severe forest fires in the Republic of Indonesia. Upon completion of today’s planned firefighting operations, the unit will conclude its activities in Indonesia and the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF)’s Tank Landing Ship JS Kunisaki carrying three Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) CH-47 transport helicopters will return to Japan as soon as preparations are completed. The foundation for this dispatch was the friendly relationship Japan has long maintained with Indonesia, and in particular, the relationships of trust cultivated between the defense authorities of our two nations, including the relationship between Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and me. I personally received a direct request from Minister Sjafrie to consider implementing JSDF cooperation and after the dispatch we continued to communicate closely regarding the situation on the ground and the activities of the JSDF. In the recent activities, three CH-47 transport helicopters had implemented more than 40 firefighting operations, in which they had dropped approximately 220 tons of water, by yesterday. Minister Sjafrie has repeatedly expressed his gratitude and respect to the JSDF personnel engaged in their mission on the ground. Furthermore, as a mark of the high regard for the activities of the JSDF held by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, it is planning to commend the JSDF personnel who carried out their mission on the ground. I also feel deep pride in all of the JSDF personnel who executed their mission in a challenging environment. In addition, the gratitude and trust received by the JSDF was not confined to the defense authorities. We are receiving reports from the dispatched JSDF personnel that they were warmly welcomed by all of the local Indonesian people, who asked to take photographs with them, shake their hands, and so on. As a result, the JSDF personnel strongly felt the friendliness and trust the locals held for the JSDF. We were able to steadily execute the recent activities due to the dedication of all the JSDF personnel and the strong cooperative relationship between the defense authorities of our two nations which supported them. The Ministry of Defense (MOD)/JSDF intend to further deepen defense cooperation with Indonesia, building on the foundation of trust cultivated through these activities. Moreover, as a member of the international community, we will continue to actively provide the support which is necessary from a humanitarian perspective going forward.
My second announcement is about the holding of the Japan-Mongolia Defense Ministerial Meeting. Tomorrow, September 30, H.E. Mr. Damba Batlut, Minister of Defence of Mongolia, will visit Japan, and a Japan-Mongolia Defense Ministerial Meeting, the first since February 2024, is scheduled to be held in the MOD. Mongolia is a special strategic partner located in a key strategic position between Russia and China and with which Japan shares values and principles such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. I am very happy to be able to meet with Minister Batlut for the first time on this occasion. Our cooperation with Mongolia to date includes, for example, capacity building assistance, reciprocal unit visits, and participation of the GSDF and Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) in Khaan Quest 26. In this meeting, I intend to engage in candid and substantive discussions aimed at advancing defense cooperation and exchanges between Japan and Mongolia. On this occasion, I also look forward to enhancing the relationship of trust between Minister Batlut and myself. This concludes my two announcements at the outset today.