(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, I visited the former Setouchi Works Kure Area site of Nippon Steel Corporation (Nippon Steel) and the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (MSDF) Etajima Area. On August 28, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and Nippon Steel entered into a contract for the MOD to acquire the former Setouchi Works Kure Area site. Employees at the site briefed me on the progress of the demolition work currently underway by Nippon Steel, among other related matters. Today’s visit has reinforced my understanding that developing a multifunctional defense complex at this site will contribute to the steady reinforcement of Japan’s defense capabilities and has critical significance for our national security. The MOD will continue to work closely with Nippon Steel in making steady progress with the development of the complex. Today, I also met with Mr. Shinhara, Mayor of Kure City, and Mr. Hayashida, Speaker of the Kure City Council, and I conveyed to them my appreciation for their understanding of the initiatives being undertaken by the MOD and the Self-Defense Forces. The Mayor of Kure City spoke of the strong relationship of trust between the MSDF and Kure City. He also expressed the hopes of local residents that the multifunctional defense complex will contribute to the further development of the region. On September 1, the MOD began calling for applications from enterprises interested in locating to the area designated for private-sector companies. We will invite applications from a broad range of candidates and evaluate and select companies based on various factors, such as their potential contribution to the local economy. We will continue to steadily advance the project and work toward the early completion of the complex while listening to the views of Hiroshima Prefecture and Kure City. Following that visit, I came here, to the MSDF’s Etajima Area, where I visited the Special Boarding Unit, the Officer Candidate School, and the 1st Service School. The Special Boarding Unit is a specialized unit deployed during Maritime Security Operations to respond to resistance that is anticipated when onboard inspections of suspicious vessels are conducted and to disarm such vessels. It was established in 2001. I am glad I was able to visit the unit on its 25th anniversary. Today, I observed a demonstration of training for such missions. It was reassuring to see personnel acquiring advanced, specialized skills. During my exchanges with the members of the Special Boarding Unit, I heard firsthand about their commitment to their missions and their day-to-day training. Each and every member of the unit demonstrated a strong sense of mission and pride, and I was highly encouraged. In the Etajima Area, there still remain numerous historic educational facilities that carry on the traditions of the former Imperial Japanese Naval Academy since the Meiji era. I saw the Red Brick Building, the Ceremonial Hall, and other dignified buildings that have been preserved from the period of the former Imperial Japanese Navy. I was profoundly moved thinking about the students who are studying and training daily in this educational environment steeped in history and tradition, as personnel who will bear the responsibilities of the MSDF in the future. At the Officer Candidate School and the 1st Service School, I had opportunities to interact with students and the families of the personnel. The Officer Candidate School, as a school for training officers who will lead the MSDF in the future, offers educational programs with an emphasis on seamanship and leadership, in addition to the knowledge and skills needed by officers. The 1st Service School provides specialized education necessary for the operation of surface vessels, including ship operation, navigation, and gunnery. During my discussions with the students, I was impressed by the high aspirations with which they were studying and training. They are on steady track to becoming promising MSDF personnel of the future. The sight of students engaging in their studies and training in Etajima, surrounded by historic school buildings and abundant nature, has left a lasting impression on me. I further had an opportunity to interact with the families of the personnel and thank them for supporting the personnel day to day. Following this press conference, I will visit the MSDF Iwakuni Air Base and offer words of encouragement to MSDF personnel carrying out their missions on the front lines. That concludes my opening remarks for today.