(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, I attended the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) and held a Japan-Australia defense ministers’ meeting. First, at the ADMM-Plus, I exchanged candid views with the defense ministers of various countries regarding security issues facing the region and the international community. I emphasized that we should aim for a region where a free and open order is upheld based on international law and where every country is able to choose its future at its own will, and that this requires continuing dialogue even in the face of crisis. I then expressed Japan’s determination to strengthen its capacity to proactively contribute to the region amid a challenging security environment, such as through the revision of the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology this spring and the revision of the three strategic documents by the end of this year. I explained these initiatives to member states and stated that they will be carried out with transparency. I also urged countries to contact me anytime if they need further explanations. I also held my eighth meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Marles of Australia. During the meeting, we shared our views on the increasingly challenging regional security environment and confirmed that we would further advance concrete defense cooperation under the Japan-Australia “Special Strategic Partnership.” In addition, building on our discussions at the Japan-Australia defense ministers’ meeting in August, we confirmed the steady progress of Australia’s Mogami-class frigate program. We also welcomed the continued progress in defense equipment and technology cooperation on the use of Australian test ranges for Japan’s hypersonic guided missiles, including the dispatch of a Japanese survey team to Australia in September. Furthermore, we reaffirmed the importance of Japan and Australia, as a core of cooperation among like-minded countries, building a multi-layered cooperative relationship, and agreed to continue contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Apart from the Japan-Australia meeting, I was able to hold dialogues in the new formats of Japan-Australia-Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan-Australia-India. This was a significant achievement for the future. At the meeting between me and Minister Marles a short while ago, we both welcomed that Minister Singh of India had just posted about the trilateral meeting on his X. Over these past two days, I attended the ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting and the ADMM-Plus. There were also opportunities for many other important meetings, including bilateral meetings with seven countries—the U.S., the ROK, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, and Australia—as well as the Japan-Australia-Philippines-U.S. defense ministers’ meeting. For example, with the U.S., bilateral coordination bore fruit in the form of a groundbreaking agreement to establish in Japan a final assembly and checkout (FACO) facility for Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) that are essential for the F-35. With India, we were able to issue a joint press statement that affirmed the steady progress in Japan-India defense cooperation since my visit to India in August, in line with the direction we had concurred on. This includes maritime security cooperation, such as enhancing mine countermeasure capabilities and exploring the possibility of joint development in naval shipbuilding and design, and the first-ever visit to India by Air Self-Defense Force fighter aircraft. The two sides were able to hold a meaningful exchange of views ahead of the “2+2” meeting and the defense ministers’ meeting later this year. Precisely because of the challenging security environment, it is important to continue dialogue, build trust, and translate it into tangible cooperation and actions. Through candid exchanges of views with my counterparts from ASEAN member states, which are a pivot of peace and stability in the region, and from our ally and like-minded countries, I was able to accelerate the discussions toward concrete progress in defense cooperation. I will steadily translate each of the achievements from the meetings into action. Additionally, North Korea launched ballistic missiles today. As has already been announced, in response to the Prime Minister’s instructions, I immediately issued the necessary instructions, and the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and the Japan Self-Defense Forces is taking all possible measures. As this occurred in the middle of the ADMM-Plus meeting, under my direction, the Japanese delegation immediately exchanged necessary information with the U.S. and ROK delegations, including with Commander Paparo of the U.S. Pacific Command and Minister Kang, respectively. I was able to reaffirm, personally and in a timely manner, Japan’s intention to coordinate closely. Furthermore, two days ago, three Chinese Navy vessels, including guided missile destroyers, along with a China Coast Guard vessel, transited Osumi Strait off the coast of Kagoshima Prefecture. This is the first time the MOD has spotted and announced a case of this kind. In my speech at the ADMM-Plus, I referred to this incident as an example of the challenging security environment in the region. The MOD will continue taking all possible measures for precaution and closely monitoring the developments with great interest. That concludes my opening remarks.