令和６年８月２日付、第４２代となる護衛艦隊司令官を拝命し着任しました。６０年に及ぶ歴史と伝統の中で、常に我が国の第一線を守り、支え続けた護衛艦隊で勤務できることを光栄に思うとともに、重責に身が引き締まる思いです。

　現下の安全保障環境は極めて厳しく、情勢は千変万化しており、護衛艦隊が常に掲げてきた「精強・即応」の真価が今ほど問われている時代はありません。

　一方、先月公表された一連の不祥事等により、海上自衛隊は組織全体として、従前にも増して自らを律して言動を正し、職務に誠実に取り組まなくてはならない状況にもあります。このため、護衛艦隊司令官としての指導方針を「精強・即応」に加え、「誠実正道」とします。

　先達が築き上げた伝統、基盤や基本、原点に立ち返りつつも、隊員一人一人が志を一つに団結、協働し、自ら考え自ら動くことによって限られた資源を最大限に活用し、練成を重ね、かかる情勢下においても任務を完遂し、もって国民の皆さんの負託と期待に応えることができる護衛艦隊を創造していきます。

　今後も護衛艦隊に対し変わらぬご支援を賜りますようお願い申し上げます。

　

　令和６年８月

　

　On the 2nd of the August, 2024, I had the honour of assuming command as the 42nd Commander of the Escort Fleet. It is with a deep sense of pride that I take on this role, serving in a fleet that has been the steadfast guardian of our nation’s frontlines for over six decades. I am acutely aware of the weight of this responsibility, and I am committed to upholding the standards of excellence that this fleet represents.

　The current security environment is exceptionally challenging, with circumstances changing rapidly and unexpectedly. Never has there been a more pressing time to demonstrate the true value of the Escort Fleet’s enduring tenets of “Strength and Readiness.”

　However, recent incidents, which were made public last month, have placed us in a position where the Maritime Self-Defense Force, as an institution, must hold itself to an even higher standards of conduct. We must ensure integrity in our actions and words, and a steadfast commitment to our duties. To this end, I will adopt “Integrity and 正道(Sei-Do)” as additional guiding principles for my command, alongside “Strength and Readiness.”

　正道(Sei-Do), “The noble path”, to stay this righteous path means to return to our core purpose and founding principles, whilst conducting ourselves with unwavering integrity and steadfast commitment to sound actions.

　As we look to the future, we must always return to the traditions, foundations, and principles laid down by those who came before us. At the same time, every member of this fleet must unite with a common purpose, working together with initiative and determination to make the most of our limited resources. Through relentless training and preparation, we will ensure that, even in the face of adversity, we fulfil our mission and meet the trust and expectations of the people we serve.

　I humbly request your continued support for the Escort Fleet as we move forward.

　
　　　　　　　　　　

　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　

　あらゆる情勢の変化にも対応できる護衛艦隊であり続けるため、隷下部隊先任伍長が心を一つに柔軟な発想をもって創意工夫を凝らしながら、艦のため乗員のため汗を流し続けています。
　２４時間３６５日休むことなく警戒監視の任務に就く隊員とその隊員を支えて続けるご家族や大切な人が、護衛艦隊で勤務していることに誇りを持てるよう、隊員に寄り添い、各部隊先任伍長と共に活動していく所存です。