(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, I held meetings with the defense ministers of various countries and attended the 10th ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting. Today, after arriving in the Philippines, first I held my ninth Japan-U.S. defense ministerial meeting with Secretary Hegseth of the U.S. Secretary Hegseth and I shared a sense of urgency about the increasingly challenging regional situation and concurred to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance with greater speed and intensity than ever before. I stated that Japan is making steady progress toward the revision of its three strategic documents. I also conveyed my intention to strengthen Japan’s capabilities to deny an adversary from invading or threatening Japan. The two sides affirmed that the Japan-U.S. Alliance will advance in the direction of enhancing these denial capabilities. In addition, it was agreed that, under “Operation Supercharge,” an initiative for bilateral defense equipment and technology cooperation, we would 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. This represents a groundbreaking agreement that will contribute not only to the reliable acquisition of defense equipment needed by both Japan and the U.S. but also to the strengthening of Japan’s defense industrial base. We will elevate the Japan-U.S. Alliance to new heights, not merely through words but through actions. Following this meeting, I held my first Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) defense ministerial meeting with Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-chul since he assumed office. We exchanged candid views on the regional situation and concurred to continue close communication at high levels and further advance Japan-ROK defense cooperation going forward. With Minister of Defence Singh of India, we affirmed that Japan-India defense cooperation has made steady progress since our meeting in August, including maritime security cooperation, the first-ever visit to India by Air Self-Defense Force fighter aircraft, and the holding of the Japan-India Defense Industry Forum with the participation of approximately 40 companies. Regarding the use of firing ranges in India, we agreed to further accelerate coordination ahead of the next “2+2” meeting, building on the concrete progress made, such as the on-site visit of the Ground Self-Defense Force. Finally, we also concurred to further accelerate cooperation toward convening a “2+2” meeting and a defense ministers’ meeting later this year. Afterwards, at the 10th ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting, I expressed Japan’s determination to strongly support ASEAN’s unity, centrality, and resilience in light of their unprecedented importance in an increasingly challenging security environment. With that recognition, for the ADMM-Plus to play an even larger role, we discussed various ideas for further strengthening the Experts’ Working Groups under ASEAN’s leadership. ASEAN appreciated Japan’s initiatives to date and expressed expectations for Japan’s continued contributions. This was very encouraging. This was followed by a Japan-Australia-Philippines-U.S. meeting (SQUAD). The four ministers affirmed the significance of convening a SQUAD meeting for the first time in which all three participating countries—Australia, the Philippines, and the U.S.—had concluded an Acquisition and Cross‐Servicing Agreement (ACSA) with Japan. There have been various developments since the previous meeting, including the establishment of the Defense Cooperation Council (DCC) headed by the chief of staff of each country as well as initiatives such as joint exercises. At today’s meeting, I proposed further strengthening policy consultations, and we concurred to further advance various forms of defense cooperation among the four countries, including policy consultations and joint exercises, in support of regional peace and stability. In addition, with Secretary of National Defense Teodoro of the Philippines, we affirmed to translate our Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) and ACSA institutional platforms into concrete operational cooperation between our forces, while also cooperating toward the conclusion of an agreement on the protection of classified military information. Regarding the transfer of the Abukuma-class destroyer under ongoing discussions, Secretary Teodoro and I confirmed that the defense authorities had concurred in continuing discussions aiming for the transfer of the first destroyer at the earliest possible date following its expected decommissioning in the coming years, providing the Philippine Navy with education and training support prior to the transfer, and cooperating closely on maintenance and sustainment. We also confirmed that the necessary coordination would be undertaken within the respective governments going forward. We will further deepen defense cooperation between Japan and the Philippines encompassing operations, logistics support, human resource development, and information sharing. With Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Giang of Vietnam, we confirmed to further promote personnel exchanges and exchanges between our forces and accelerate cooperation between our defense authorities. Furthermore, we concurred on advancing discussions toward the materialization of concrete defense equipment and technology cooperation, including the possibility of the joint development and production of high-speed landing craft. As he will visit Japan next month, I hope to hold another meeting on that occasion. Finally, with Minister Chan of Singapore, we welcomed that the first bilateral exercise, “SINGAPAN,” was conducted on this milestone year marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. Additionally, we concurred to further expand the scope of Japan-Singapore defense cooperation to include navy-to-navy cooperation as well as army-to-army and air force-to-air force cooperation and cooperation in the field of defense equipment. As Singapore’s Minister Chan is also scheduled to visit Japan next month, we intend to fully coordinate and enhance working-level discussions leading up to the visit. As I have explained, through the series of meetings today, I was able to further deepen relations with ASEAN member states and make substantive strides in various areas of defense cooperation with our ally and like-minded countries. At tomorrow’s ADMM-Plus, I intend to once again convey clearly that Japan is a sincere and transparent partner that supports ASEAN. That concludes my opening remarks.