(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, I have three announcements at the outset. First, I would like to inform you about the projects that were selected for the FY2026 MOD Basic Research Support Initiative, also known as MOD funding. To promote the active utilization of advanced civilian technologies, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) established MOD funding in FY2015. Under the program, the MOD commissions or provides subsidies to entities, such as outside research institutes, to conduct basic research on advanced civilian technologies. Since the program’s launch, the MOD has issued calls for research proposals from universities, companies, and other institutions every fiscal year. Starting this year, the call for proposals was expanded from existing research themes to medical care and biomedical engineering, reflecting their expected contributions to areas such as physical trauma care and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) countermeasures. In the FY2026 call for proposals, we received 560 applications, largely surpassing last fiscal year’s 340, which had been the most number of applications received since the program’s establishment. Especially from universities and other academic institutions, we received 291 applications, more than double the previous fiscal year’s record high. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the many institutions that demonstrated an understanding of the program’s objectives and submitted applications. The applications underwent a rigorous review by a committee comprised of outside experts, and 47 proposals were selected. The breakdown is as follows: 30 proposals from universities and other academic institutions, 11 from public research institutes, and 6 from companies and other incorporated associations and foundations. We hope that the research outcomes from this program will contribute to future research and development in the defense sector, and more broadly to science, technology, and innovation in Japan across sectors beyond defense. Details will be available on the website of the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency.
Second, yesterday, we spotted and announced that one reconnaissance UAV (BZK-005) and one intelligence-gathering aircraft (Y-9) of the Chinese military flew from the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean, passing between the main island of Okinawa and Miyakojima Island. Subsequently, the two aircraft flew again between the main island of Okinawa and Miyakojima Island. This was the first time since June of last year and the first time this fiscal year that the passage of a Chinese military UAV between the main island of Okinawa and Miyakojima Island was spotted and announced. Furthermore, on the same day, we spotted and announced that one Chinese military reconnaissance/attack UAV (TB-001) flew from the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean, passing between Yonagunijima Island and Taiwan, and to the waters off Amami Oshima Island before passing between the main island of Okinawa and Miyakojima Island. Just recently, on October 14, we also spotted and announced that an aircraft believed to be a Chinese UAV passed between Yonagunijima Island and Taiwan into the Pacific Ocean. In recent years, including yesterday, UAV activity around Japan has intensified. For example, in FY2024, we made 23 announcements concerning Chinese military UAV activity, approximately three times more than the eight announcements made in the previous fiscal year. In FY2025, we made 16 announcements. As these figures indicate, the number of UAV activities has remained high. The MOD is now conducting deliberations with a view to revising the three strategic documents. The recent UAV events reflect Japan’s need to adapt to new ways of warfare and to UAVs. I intend to carefully explain these changes in the security environment to Japanese citizens to gain their understanding.
Lastly, my third announcement. Yesterday, I held a defense ministers’ meeting with Minister of Defence Khaled of Malaysia, who is visiting Japan. During the meeting, I expressed my appreciation for the significant contributions to regional peace and stability made by Malaysia, a country that is strategically located along vital sea lanes of communication, including the Strait of Malacca. In light of the progress in cooperation between the navies of Japan and Malaysia, both of which are maritime nations, we concurred on developing a comprehensive plan to further deepen cooperation in the field of maritime security. With regard to defense equipment and technology cooperation, we concurred on expediting discussions, with a view to realizing cooperation that is mutually beneficial to both countries. Malaysia, Japan’s Comprehensive and Strategic Partner, is an important partner for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. I intend to continue seizing various opportunities to maintain close communication with Defence Minister Khaled and further promote defense cooperation between the two countries. That concludes my three announcements at the outset.