Address by Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru at the Meeting of the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Force Command Personnel

I would like to say a few words to the senior personnel who assume the responsibility for the very core of our nation’s defense.

Today, I have the pleasure of attending the Meeting of the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces Command Personnel. I understand that commanders of major units in various regions are also participating online. As the Prime Minister and Supreme Commander of the Self-Defense Forces, I believe it is extremely significant to directly convey my thoughts to you in such a setting for ensuring the smooth execution of our nation’s defense policy and the effectiveness of civilian control, which forms the basis of a democratic state.

Let me outline my views on the ideal form of the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces and their upcoming mission to fully defend Japan’s independence and peace.

Allow me to begin by discussing civilian control. While it signifies the supremacy of political leadership over armed forces, this doesn’t mean that political will is unilaterally imposed. I have always believed it is both your right and duty as SDF officers to offer expert views to politicians regarding legal frameworks, equipment and unit operations for our national defense. It is not ideal for those charged with assisting politicians to remain silent. To ensure effective civilian control, I expect you to actively offer your professional insights.

Eighteen years ago, as Minister of Defense, I attended and addressed the Meeting of the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Force Senior Personnel here in Ichigaya.

At that time, non-state actors, including international terrorist organizations, posed a significant threat, requiring the international community to respond in a united manner. A major challenge facing Japan then was how we could contribute to international efforts, such as by continuing activities by the Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Indian Ocean.

Eighteen years later, the security environment surrounding Japan has undergone a drastic change, becoming even more severe and complex.

We are witnessing China’s unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas, North Korea’s launches of ballistic missiles and enhancement of its capabilities, and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the dispatch of North Korean soldiers to Russia, as well as Iran’s nuclear development along with responses from Israel and the United States. They suggest the current, closely intertwined situations in Ukraine, the Middle East, and East Asia.

In Ukraine, we have seen firsthand how the ordinary, everyday life can be instantly shattered once a military invasion takes place. Many of our citizens are concerned that “what is happening in Ukraine today could happen in East Asia tomorrow.”

Under such circumstances, our urgent challenge is to strengthen our deterrence to prevent such threats as military aggression from reaching Japan. The fundamental reinforcement of our defense capabilities, based on the National Security Strategy and other documents, must be steadily promoted going forward.

The true value of these efforts is constantly put to the test. Whether the SDF’s capabilities are maintained and enhanced as a reliable deterrent; whether we are effectively responding to the various incidents occurring on a daily basis; and whether these efforts are ensuring the safety and security of our citizens—all depend on how you devote yourselves to these challenges.

I therefore ask for your tireless efforts to ensure the SDF earns the unwavering trust from the public as a deterrent.

A short while ago, I visited the Joint Operations Command, newly established this March, and was briefed on its current status.

The importance of integrated operations was already recognized during my time as Director-General of the Defense Agency, and its significance has since irreversibly increased.

The establishment of the Joint Operations Command marks a major milestone in the SDF’s efforts to strengthen integrated operations. Its purpose is to seamlessly respond to changing environments and establish a structure for integrated operations, including cross-domain operations. However, merely establishing a new organization does not achieve its purpose. I urge you to step-up your efforts to further enhance the effectiveness of integrated operations under the Joint Operations Command.

Simultaneously, just as operations are integrated, so must be our efforts to develop our defense capabilities. Just collecting individually optimized components will never amount to overall optimization. This is something I have consistently stated since my time as Minister of Defense.

As seen in the situation in Ukraine, technological advancements constantly change and evolve the methods of combat. You are required to be sensitive enough to keenly perceive these changes, while also being bold enough to embrace any change, rather than being bound by past practices or the boundaries between the Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces.

Given these points, I request that you constantly seek ways to build effective defense capabilities in the future.

Above all, the SDF personnel are the core of Japan’s defense capabilities. Your fully dedicated efforts to accomplish your duties serve as Japan’s deterrence and the very capacity needed to protect the lives and peaceful livelihoods of our citizens.

Precisely because of the noble mission that the SDF personnel are entrusted with, you are respected by our citizens and can dedicate yourselves to your duties with pride and honor. The state and Government are naturally responsible for establishing this system.

The SDF is required to uphold the highest discipline and should be given the highest honor. With this conviction, we established a meeting of relevant ministers, which I chair, at the end of last year, and compiled basic guidelines for improving the treatment and working environment of the SDF personnel and for establishing new lifelong career plans.

Based on this, under Defense Minister Nakatani, unprecedented initiatives have already been realized, including the establishment of new benefits and the increase of the level of existing ones, totaling over 30 programs.

At a recent gathering of the relevant ministers, we confirmed that there are signs of effects on the morale of active SDF personnel, as well as on the efforts to secure human resources for the SDF.

Last month in Maizuru, I personally heard feedback and future requests from young SDF personnel and mid-level officers regarding the improvement of their treatment.

I ask you to understand the needs of the personnel at all levels and incorporate their voices into systematic initiatives. We will continue to review our current policies and consider and implement new measures, always based on the needs of the personnel.

The last time I attended the Meeting of the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Force Senior Personnel was in 2007, when the Defense Agency was transformed into the Ministry of Defense, marking a significant turning point.

As I have repeatedly stated, with the security environment becoming increasingly severe, the roles that the Ministry of Defense and the SDF must fulfill are greater than ever. To fulfill the roles, the public’s understanding of the SDF is indispensable.

Up until now, your predecessors have consistently dedicated themselves to their duties, resulting in 90% of the public currently holding a positive impression of the SDF.

At the same time, earning public trust requires tireless efforts.

At the previous Meeting of the Senior Personnel, we also had various issues to tackle. As Minister of Defense, I stated that we would “seriously examine, from every angle, what could be the ideal form of a true organization charged with national defense, and make utmost effort to implement reforms.”

I myself have never served as an SDF officer or member, but I have never forgotten, even for a moment, the words of the oath of service taken by all SDF personnel.

“I will meet the expectations of the Japanese people by striving to complete duties* which may involve risking my own life when facing challenges.”

As I repeatedly reflect on these words, the weight of the responsibility of national defense and the depth of your resolve come home to me.

In 2003, when I was the Director-General of the Defense Agency, Japan decided to dispatch SDF units to support the reconstruction of Iraq, and on December 24 of that year, Christmas Eve, a completion ceremony for the Air SDF transport aircraft unit was held at the Air Self-Defense Force Komaki base in Aichi Prefecture, with then Prime Minister KOIZUMI Junichiro attending. December 24 was the day when many young people were celebrating Christmas.

At the send-off party on the same day, a young Air SDF member who was about to be deployed shook my hand. He told me that he had received an address from the Prime Minister and encouragement from the Director-General of the Defense Agency, and that he had taken commemorative photos, shaken hands with us and been told: “Good luck.” He said that he was able to hear from the Prime Minister and from the Director-General of the Defense Agency why he himself had to go: that the people of Iraq desperately needed roads, schools, and access to water; that a British public opinion survey at the time had found Japan—not any other country or even the United Nations—to be the country Iraqis most wanted to come; and that, because of this, the only organization in Japan capable of responding to those wishes was the SDF. He also said: “I have had the best Christmas. Director-General, I am leaving for Iraq" before being deployed in C-130s, with other young SDF members. I will never forget this scene for the rest of my life.

Together with Minister Nakatani, I am resolved to lead you in fully defending Japan and our citizens. With this renewed resolve again conveyed to you, let me conclude by sincerely hoping for your continued efforts and for the strength and excellence of the Self-Defense Forces.

Note: Prime Minister Ishiba said “shokumu” in Japanese, which means “duty” or “task,” but he intended to say “sekimu,” which also means “duty.”