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On November 1, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Self-Defense Forces Day Annual Reception held in Tokyo.
 
The Prime Minister said in his address,
 
“Distinguished guests who continuously support the Self-Defense Forces (SDF), representatives from the U.S. Forces in Japan from our ally, ambassadors and defense attachés from all over the world, welcome and thank you very much for attending the Self-Defense Forces Day Annual Reception. As the Commander-in-Chief of the SDF, I express my profound gratitude for your daily support on the SDF.
 
The SDF was established on July 1, 1954. 1954 is a year I can never forget; I was born in that same year, two months and 21 days after the establishment. In other words, the SDF and I have spent 65 long years in existence. I am extremely delighted to celebrate with you this anniversary, which has such a connection.
 
The SDF truly exists for the people. That has always been the unwavering spirit of the SDF, both then and now. Under this noble principle, the SDF has been operating for 65 years. Over that period of time, airspace incursion measures, the embodiment of the will to protect Japan’s territorial land, sea and air, have been carried out over 28,000 times. The SDF has also been dispatched for disaster relief missions over 40,000 times.
 
Since the enactment of the Act on Cooperation for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and Other Operations in 1992, more than 60,000 SDF personnel have worked hard in over 40 countries for the peace and stability of the international community. Anti-piracy operations to guard a major artery of the global economy in the scorching heat of the Gulf of Aden have continued for over 10 years since the first deployment and have protected more than 4,000 ships; the SDF has steadily accumulated efforts not widely known to others, which never appear in these numbers.
 
I am very pleased that the SDF has been highly regarded in the world through these PKO-related activities and the efforts of the SDF personnel. As you all know, in the beginning, there was a fierce debate in the Diet, and a large number of Diet members were indeed opposed to these actions. However, it is fact that those who were opposed, once they came to power and actually deployed SDF units in accordance to this PKO, now appreciate the SDG’s works. That is a testament of the dedication and hard work of the SDF personnel.
 
Prior to Typhoon No. 19* and the heavy rains brought on by low pressure systems, which caused tremendous damage in October this year, SDF personnel had fully prepared themselves for deployment in advance, responded immediately to disasters, and engaged in various operations, including rescue activities, transportation of people who were stranded on the water, and elimination of road obstacles, even risking their own lives. Even now, at this very instant, many SDF personnel are giving their all to support the lives of the public.
 
Through these steady efforts, the SDF has grown into an organization that has earned the unwavering trust of the public. Right now, over 90% of the public approve of the SDF; a 90% approval rating is unfathomable for politicians. The SDF is at the top of the list of most trustworthy public institutions.
 
I would like to take this opportunity to express my respect for the devoted efforts of generations of SDF personnel, as well as my heartfelt gratitude to all SDF personnel, the family members who support them, and all of you gathered here today who have always offered your understanding and support for the activities of the SDF.
 
I am confident that, in the Reiwa era as well, the SDF will continue to do a wonderful job of fulfilling its mission of protecting the lives and peaceful livelihoods of the people, while also contributing to the peace and stability of the international community. I ask for your continued support and cooperation.
 
Together with the public, the members of the SDF have overcome various hardships. This will be the case in the future as well. I would like to conclude my remarks by wishing for the further success of all SDF personnel, and by hoping for greater peace in the region, in Japan, and in the world.”
 
*Typhoon Hagibis