Takaichi Cabinet Responds to News on Missile Firing

Tokyo, Oct. 22 (Jiji Press)–The cabinet of new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi fully started working Wednesday morning and as part of its initial tasks responded to news that North Korea has apparently fired ballistic missiles. Takaichi arrived at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo shortly after 9 a.m., an hour and a half earlier than initially scheduled, following the news of the suspected missile firing, and received reports about the incident from ministries and agencies concerned. “I instructed the defense and foreign ministers to continue gathering and analyzing information (on the missile launch) to ensure people’s safety,” she told reporters. She said later: “My cabinet is determined to make decisions and progress. We will move forward speedily once we make a decision. I will work hard.” The government plans to announce a list of new state ministers and parliamentary vice ministers in the afternoon. Members of the Takaichi cabinet, launched Tuesday, also began their duties on a full scale Wednesday. In the morning, new Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi attended a Japan-hosted international conference on support for the removal of land mines in Ukraine. “Measures to deal with land mines are an integral part of the comprehensive and long- term process toward the reconstruction of Ukraine,” Motegi said, underscoring the need for broad support from the international community. In the early hours of Wednesday, the Takaichi cabinet announced its basic policies calling for “turning anxiety into hopes and creating a strong economy” and “restoring Japan’s diplomacy that thrives at the center of the world.” The policies include protecting livelihoods by revitalizing local communities, strengthening the country’s diplomatic and defense capabilities, and enhancing headquarters functions over issues related to foreigners, as well as creating a strong economy. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]