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On September 17, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a party accompanying the Meeting of the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Force (SDF) Senior Personnel, at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence.
 
The Prime Minister said in his address,
 
“Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Prime Minister’s Official Residence. I am pleased to have this opportunity to have a talk with all of you who represent the 250,000 SDF personnel today.
 
I would like to once again express my respect to the members of the SDF who fulfil their duties in their respective posts without letting down your guard, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, even at this moment. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all of their family members.
 
I believe the most important responsibility of the Prime Minister is to protect the lives and peaceful livelihoods of the people of Japan. I would not be able to fulfil this great responsibility without all of you.
 
Since this May, through to the present, North Korea has launched ballistic missiles repeatedly. You have gathered information with a rigorous vigilance and surveillance structure, even at midnight or early in the morning, and immediately reported to me. This information that you deliver, day in, day out, is a lifeline for our country.
 
Whether responding to a disaster or transporting an emergency patient, you are always ready for rapid deployment, springing into action without hesitation at the first signs of any damage and rushing to areas where people are in need of help.
 
In response to the damages caused by the recent heavy rains in Kyushu, you worked day and night, at times covered in oil. In addition, in response to the disaster caused by Typhoon No. 15*, even now, more than 10,000 SDF personnel are giving their all to secure power and water; working in three shifts, throughout the day and night, you are working to restore power. It makes me feel encouraged.
 
Moreover, from the perspective of the relationship building between Japan and countries across the world, you are also contributing to the peace and security of Japan. Last November, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting held in Papua New Guinea, we were welcomed by the Japanese song ‘Furusato’ and musical accompaniment performed by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Military Band. Almost all of the members started out being unable to read music scores and having never before handled musical instruments. The SDF Central Band had trained them, spending more than three years to do so. Listening to their performance, I felt greatly moved. I heard that when the SDF instructors had completed the training of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Military Band and were about to return to Japan, the band performed an original song for them. There is a particular verse in that song: We will never forget the music you taught us; even when you are no longer here, we will always be with you. I also saw a video from when the band first started their training. They were all truly beginners, and yet they eventually performed the various national anthems at the APEC meeting, as the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Military Band. Under normal circumstances, this might be seen as reckless or one might think this impossible and give up. However, the SDF instructors continued to steadfastly teach the band. Meanwhile, the band members, too, were determined to perform brilliantly, with the honor of their country at stake, and even though they started from scratch, they performed the national anthems of each country beautifully, before the gathering of the APEC leaders. I believe that we truly helped to uphold their pride.
 
You are all working hard, in your respective positions, and I am extremely proud of you for serving as bridges between Japan and the world.
 
Amid the increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan, it is all the more important that I stand united with you, and that we work in complete tandem. This year marks the 65^th anniversary of the establishment of the SDF. This is something I will never forget. That is because I too, will turn 65 this year, and the path taken by the SDF and that of my life are one and the same. In this age of 100-year lifespans, I hope to be able to deliver an address on your 100^th anniversary as well. But of course, not as the sitting Prime Minister.
 
While time is limited, I hope to deepen our friendships and further strengthen our bonds today. In closing, I would like to wish for your continued success. Thank you very much.”
 
*Typhoon Faxai