[Provisional translation]
(Reporter)
I am Oshiyama, with TV Asahi. Madame Prime Minister, you held a telephone meeting with Sultan Haitham of Oman just now. Please share with us what kinds of topics you discussed. Oman has suffered damage to infrastructure and so on because of Iranian attacks. Is there any plan to provide cooperation for recovery?
I am Oshiyama, with TV Asahi. Madame Prime Minister, you held a telephone meeting with Sultan Haitham of Oman just now. Please share with us what kinds of topics you discussed. Oman has suffered damage to infrastructure and so on because of Iranian attacks. Is there any plan to provide cooperation for recovery?
(Prime Minister Takaichi)
I held a telephone call with Sultan Haitham of Oman just now. In the context of recent developments in the Middle East situation, Oman has been playing an important role toward easing regional tensions. In addition, Oman, situated right at the Strait of Hormuz, is an extremely important entity from both a geopolitical and an energy security perspective.
I held a telephone call with Sultan Haitham of Oman just now. In the context of recent developments in the Middle East situation, Oman has been playing an important role toward easing regional tensions. In addition, Oman, situated right at the Strait of Hormuz, is an extremely important entity from both a geopolitical and an energy security perspective.
During our telephone call, I expressed my sympathy regarding the human and material damage in Oman. I also expressed my gratitude for Oman’s generous cooperation regarding the protection of Japanese nationals since the outbreak of the situation. Moreover, it is important going forward that the ceasefire be maintained and de-escalation steadily achieved, and that a final agreement be reached promptly through diplomatic means. I also conveyed Japan's position that it is essential to ensure the freedom and safety of navigation as soon as possible for all vessels, including those of Japan and other Asian countries.
Sultan Haitham emphasized the importance of resolving issues through diplomatic means, and stated that Oman would like to continue cooperating with countries including Japan toward the stabilization of the situation, including the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
With regard to the reconstruction of Oman you asked about, Japan will consider what it can do, taking Oman's needs into account.
Yesterday, I held a summit telephone meeting with the prime minister of Pakistan. Until now, the Government of Japan has been working closely with the international community while also advancing various diplomatic initiatives. We intend to continue advancing our efforts actively.
(Reporter)
Madame Prime Minister, I am Echigo, working for Jiji Press. I apologize for changing the topic completely, but I would like to ask about the active-duty member of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) attending the recent LDP Convention and singing the "Kimigayo" (the national anthem) there. This has been pointed out as problematic from the standpoint of the political neutrality of the SDF.
Madame Prime Minister, I am Echigo, working for Jiji Press. I apologize for changing the topic completely, but I would like to ask about the active-duty member of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) attending the recent LDP Convention and singing the "Kimigayo" (the national anthem) there. This has been pointed out as problematic from the standpoint of the political neutrality of the SDF.
Did you yourself know in advance that the SDF officer would be attending? I would also like to hear your thoughts on the matter.
(Prime Minister Takaichi)
You are referring to our party convention held on Sunday. Until I arrived at the venue on Sunday, I did not know that the SDF officer would be performing. However, the SDF officer involved sang the national anthem in his personal capacity, not as part of his duties, at the request of an old friend in the private sector.
You are referring to our party convention held on Sunday. Until I arrived at the venue on Sunday, I did not know that the SDF officer would be performing. However, the SDF officer involved sang the national anthem in his personal capacity, not as part of his duties, at the request of an old friend in the private sector.
Therefore, although Article 61, Paragraph 1 of the Self-Defense Forces Act stipulates limitations on political acts by SDF members, singing the national anthem does not in and of itself constitute a political act, so my understanding is that this matter does not violate the Self-Defense Forces Act.
(Reporter)
Please excuse me for asking a follow-up question. You said just now that there was no problem with him singing the national anthem, but I would like to hear your thoughts on the aspect of an SDF officer attending, and then singing at, a convention of the LDP, or at a party convention held by any political party.
Please excuse me for asking a follow-up question. You said just now that there was no problem with him singing the national anthem, but I would like to hear your thoughts on the aspect of an SDF officer attending, and then singing at, a convention of the LDP, or at a party convention held by any political party.
(Prime Minister Takaichi)
This was not a matter of, for example, calling for support for a particular political party or anything like that, but instead a case of singing the national anthem, so I don't consider this problematic, legally speaking.
This was not a matter of, for example, calling for support for a particular political party or anything like that, but instead a case of singing the national anthem, so I don't consider this problematic, legally speaking.