Minister of Defense Kono’s 2020 New Year’s Address

At the beginning of 2020, Minister of Defense Kono delivered a New Year’s greeting to all personnel of the Ministry of Defense (MOD)/Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).

The security environment surrounding Japan

As represented by a series of ballistic missile launches by North Korea and increased nontransparent defense spending and growing activity in the sea and air space in the East China Sea by China, the security environment surrounding Japan has become increasingly severe.

Strengthening Japan’s own architecture for national defense

To build a truly effective defense capability that can respond to the current security environment with bold ideas, it is necessary to shed the thinking that relies on the traditional division among land, sea, and air and existing budgets and human resources. It is also necessary to further reinforce the human resource base; improve living and work environment of MOD/JSDF personnel; secure and develop human resources capable of playing a role in new domains such as space, cyberspace, and the electromagnetic spectrum as well as international cooperation; encourage the active participation of female personnel; and eradicate bullying, power harassment, and sexual harassment.

Strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance and security cooperation

To maintaining the readiness and stable stationing of U.S. Forces in Japan and gain the understanding of local residents, the MOD/JSDF will cooperate steadily with the U.S. going forward.

In addition to the U.S., strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation with countries that share fundamental values and security interests is essential to ensuring security for Japan.

We will continue working with other countries toward a “free and open Indo-Pacific” and addressing global security challenges.

Also, we will advance preparations related to information-gathering activities by JSDF destroyer and aircraft in order to ensure the safety of Japan-affiliated ships in the Middle East.

Finally, as the Minister of Defense, I will work towards ensuring peaceful life of Japanese citizens and protecting the territorial land, water, and airspace of Japan.