Japan Defense Minister on US Marine Live-Fire Training and Joint Drills

Yes, good morning. — Please. Japan, the coordinating news agency Times.

Thank you for your cooperation. Thank you.

— Let’s begin with the minister’s opening remarks.

Yes. I have one opening announcement today.

For ten days between November 25 and December 6, at the Yaesubetsu Training Area, the U.S. Marine Corps will conduct live-fire training.

This training is the live-fire training by the U.S. Marine Corps that was once conducted after closing Okinawa Prefectural Route 104.

It is now being carried out in accordance with the latest final report, dispersed among five training areas belonging to the Self-Defense Forces on the mainland.

This helps reduce the risks associated with training and ensure smooth traffic, thereby contributing to easing Okinawa Prefecture’s burden.

Even now, more than 80 years after the war, the people of Okinawa continue to bear a heavy burden from the presence of military bases.

We take this very seriously. The Ministry of Defense will continue to implement measures to ease the burden of bases one by one and steadily.

At the same time, we need the understanding and cooperation of everyone around the Yaesubetsu Training Area who will host the training.

Their cooperation is important. In conducting the training, we will ensure safety to the fullest extent and strive to minimize the impact on the local community as much as possible.

— That concludes the opening remarks. Thank you.

We have one question from the coordinating agency.

In your meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth, you confirmed that future joint training would be further advanced, including additional live-fire training.

Specifically, could live-fire exercises involving the U.S. military’s Typhon intermediate-range missile system and the Ground Self-Defense Force’s Type 25 SSM also be included?

Is there a possibility that they will be covered?

Also, what kinds of exercises do Japan and the United States have in mind?

Could you give us more specific details?

— Could you tell us specifically? Yes. As for the specific content of our joint exercises, Japan and the United States will continue to coordinate going forward.

In any case, we will continue to prepare for all contingencies We intend to enhance joint training so we can respond to such situations.

As the security environment surrounding our country grows increasingly severe, to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the U.S.-Japan alliance, we have increased the frequency of more advanced and realistic joint training,

and have continually worked to make improvements.

A recent specific example is the recent Keen Sword exercise, as you know.

It also involved the largest-ever temporary deployment of U.S. and Japanese forces and other activities.

Building on these achievements, at the meeting in the Philippines with Secretary Hegseth, we welcomed the progress in more advanced and realistic joint training across Japan, which has strengthened the posture and capabilities of the U.S.-Japan alliance.

At the same time, going forward, we intend to further advance our efforts in these more advanced and realistic joint training activities, including additional live-fire exercises, with an even greater sense of urgency.

— Thank you. The floor goes to the press club. Please.

Okinawa Times, I'm Matsuda. Yes. I'd like to ask about the U.S. Marine stationed in Okinawa who was arrested on suspicion of robbery and murder.

I understand that Japanese and U.S. senior-level working officials are currently discussing effective measures to prevent a recurrence.

Next Tuesday, November 3, will mark one month since the incident occurred.

Could you tell us the Minister's view on the fact that specific measures to prevent a recurrence have still not been finalized?

Also, please tell us your assessment of the liberty system and joint patrols that have been implemented to prevent recurrence, as of now.

— Yes. According to the U.S. announcement, they will further review their conduct guidelines going forward.

That is my understanding. Japan and the United States are currently working to prevent such incidents by determining what effective measures can be taken to that end.

Discussions are currently underway with senior-level working officials from Japan and the U.S. at the center.

As for the outcome of those discussions, I expect I will refrain from making a judgment, but we will reach a conclusion as soon as possible, and announce and put into action each conclusion as it is reached.

That is what we intend to do. We will continue to carefully —discuss this between Japan and the U.S. Will that be all?

Yes, that's all. We're finished. Yes, please go ahead.