PM Takaichi Vows to Bolster Japan’s Defense Capabilities

Yokosuka, Kanagawa Pref., March 14 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, delivering an address at the graduation ceremony of the National Defense Academy of Japan on Saturday, pledged to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities amid increasing security challenges. “We will work to drastically strengthen our country’s defense capabilities without excluding any option,” Takaichi said, ahead of the planned revision of the government’s three key security-related documents within this year. Noting that progress in science and technology will change the future of national defense, she said, “It is also necessary to deal with unprecedented changes.” On the current security situation, Takaichi said, “Challenges to the free and open international order based on the rule of law are gaining momentum.” “I won’t turn my eyes away from the harsh reality facing our country,” Takaichi said, referring to military buildups by China and North Korea and growing cooperation among China, North Korea and Russia. In light of the rapid development of artificial intelligence, she called on the graduating students to “have an ability to think and respond flexibly without being bound by conventional common sense.” She also expressed her intention to steadily make improvements to the treatment of Self-Defense Forces personnel. The prime minister stressed the significance of strengthening cooperation with like-minded countries based on the alliance with the United States, the only full-scale ally of Japan. “We will vigorously promote the free and open Indo-Pacific initiative as a pillar of our diplomacy and evolve it strategically in line with the times,” she said. The number of this year’s graduates from the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, stands at 366, excluding students from abroad. Among the total are 46 women. Of the total graduates, 34 declined to join the SDF, down by six from last year. It is the first time that Takaichi has attended the graduation ceremony of the academy since taking office last October. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]