(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, I have one announcement at the outset. The U.S. Marine Corps will conduct live-fire training at the Yausubetsu Training Area for 10 days, between November 25 and December 6. In accordance with the SACO Final Report, U.S. Marine Corps live-fire training, previously conducted by closing Highway 104 in Okinawa Prefecture, will be held across five Japan Self-Defense Force maneuver areas on the mainland of Japan. The upcoming training is part of this relocation. It is intended to contribute to mitigating the impact on Okinawa Prefecture, from the perspectives of reducing the risks associated with the training and ensuring the smooth flow of traffic. We take seriously the significant impact from the bases that the people of Okinawa continue to bear, more than 80 years after the end of World War II. The Ministry of Defense will continue to steadily implement measures one at a time to mitigate the impact of the bases. At the same time, it is important to gain the understanding and cooperation of residents in the vicinity of the Yausubetsu Training Area, which is hosting this training. In conducting the training, we will take all possible measures to ensure safety and make efforts to minimize the impact on the local community. That concludes my opening remarks.