Secretary of Defense Kono explains to the U.S. Secretary of Defense that the SDF is to be dispatched to the Middle East.
While visiting the United States, Defense Minister Kono met with Secretary of Defense Esper and explained that he would send a SDF to the Middle East, while Secretary Esper expressed appreciation and the two parties confirmed close ties.
The talks took place at the Pentagon near Washington for about an hour.
In this context, Defense Minister Kono explained that the situation in the Middle East, where tensions continue, was determined to have continued diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and stabilize the situation, and ordered the dispatch of SDF escorts and patrol aircraft. .
In response, Secretary Esper expressed his gratitude and confirmed that the two would work closely together through information sharing and other means.
He also said that the launch of ballistic missiles in North Korea was a significant threat to regional security, and fully implemented UN Security Council resolutions on the complete and irreversible destruction of ballistic missiles of all ranges. They agreed that they had to.
Meanwhile, Minister Kono reviewed the plan for relocating the U.S. Army Futenma Base in Okinawa to Henoko, Nago City, and after obtaining approval for the design change by the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture, decided to further improve the ground and reclaim land. He explained that it would take three months a year and asked for his understanding.
They also said at a press conference that they did not talk about Japan's share of the US military expenditures for Japan, which will expire in March next year.