Defense Minister’s Press Conference on October 13
Overview
Defense Minister Koizumi explained that Japan, the United States, and South Korea were continuing to analyze North Korea’s ballistic missiles, and said it was difficult to determine the intent behind the launches. Citing this year’s launch activity and military developments involving China, North Korea, and Russia, he said the security environment was the most severe and complex it had been since the war. He said the government would build on concrete discussions toward revising the three strategic documents by the end of the year.
Key points
- Japan, the United States, and South Korea are analyzing details of yesterday’s ballistic missile launches.
- There have been 11 launches this year, including this one, involving at least 18 missiles. Compared with last year, the number of launches has more than doubled, while the number of missiles is about three times as high.
- He said the security environment was the most severe and complex it had been since the war.
- He said the government would build on concrete discussions with the aim of revising the three documents by the end of the year.
Overview
At a press conference after a Cabinet meeting, Defense Minister Koizumi explained the status of analysis of North Korea’s ballistic missile launches and his assessment of the security environment, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
At the press conference, he outlined a policy of advancing discussions on the three documents targeted for revision by the end of the year, so that Japan can respond to any contingency.
Impact
Minister Koizumi said he felt that, through exchanges of views with ministers and other dignitaries from various countries, concern about developments around Japan was being shared more widely than before.
Details
Japan, the United States, and South Korea are analyzing the type and characteristics of yesterday’s missiles, including the possibility that they flew on an irregular trajectory. He said it was difficult to give a definitive answer about North Korea’s intent behind each individual launch.
He explained that China is rapidly and broadly expanding its military capabilities, including nuclear and missile forces, without transparency, and continues and intensifies attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea and South China Sea. He said China is also increasing military activity, including around Taiwan.
North Korea continues its nuclear and missile development and is also focusing on strengthening its conventional forces. He cited North Korea’s deployment of soldiers to Russia and Russia’s procurement and use of weapons and ammunition, including North Korean-made ballistic missiles, pointing to deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
While continuing its invasion of Ukraine, Russia maintains active military operations around Japan. He said recent years have seen a marked trend toward closer strategic coordination between Russia and China, including joint naval voyages, joint bomber flights, and various exercises.