Prime Minister Kishida at Self-Defense Forces Review Ceremony: "We Will Strengthen Defense Capabilities"

Missile Force Enhancement Announced

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hinted at strengthening the Self-Defense Forces' defense capabilities.

According to major foreign media such as Kyodo News and NHK on the 11th, Prime Minister Kishida emphasized this while attending the Air Self-Defense Force review ceremony held at Iruma Base in Saitama Prefecture. He mentioned the joint flights of Chinese and Russian fighter jets around Japan, stressing that "Japan is facing the most difficult and complex security environment since the postwar period."

In particular, he emphasized the 'counterattack capability' that can strike enemy missile bases. He stated that maintenance of long-range artillery missiles, a key means for this, will be carried out swiftly and that the necessary budget will be secured. Earlier, the Japanese government revised three major security documents, including the 'National Security Strategy,' in December last year to promote the possession of counterattack capabilities.

Until now, Japan has held the Self-Defense Forces review ceremony annually, rotating among the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces. This year, it was held by the Air Self-Defense Force, and no aerobatic flights were conducted separately.