Takaichi discusses the review of defense equipment transfer principles and strengthening Japan's defense capabilities.

Takaichi discusses the review of defense equipment transfer principles and strengthening Japan's defense capabilities.

[Prime Minister Takaichi Spoke to the Press Regarding Her First Six Months as Prime Minister and on the Review of the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology as well as Other Matters] [Opening Statement by Prime Minister Takaichi] (Reporter)This is Furuta from Hokkaido Shimbun. Madame Prime Minister, today marks six months since you assumed office. Looking back on these six months of governing, where have you felt the greatest sense of accomplishment, and what have you found most challenging? In addition, during the House of Councillors Budget Committee deliberations in this Diet session, your attendance time has been shorter than in previous years, and opposition parties have raised questions about accountability. How do you believe you should engage with the House of Councillors and the Diet as a whole going forward? Finally, as the first woman to serve as Prime Minister and President of the Liberal Democratic Party, what are your reflections on the past six months, and how would you like to build on experience in the future management of your administration? (Prime Minister Takaichi)Thank you. On October 21 of last year, I became Prime Minister, and the Takaichi Cabinet was launched. We began as a “Cabinet of Determination and Progress.” I am determined to strengthen Japan’s national power. If we do not begin now, it will be too late. With that conviction, I took on the LDP presidential election three times, and after becoming Prime Minister, I have worked tirelessly to fulfill, one by one, the promises I made to the people—for everything is for the benefit of the Japanese people. To strengthen national power means strengthening our diplomatic capability, our defense capability, our economic strength, our technological strength, our intelligence capability, and our human resources. With these pillars in mind, we have advanced a wide range of policies. In terms of diplomatic capability, I believe we have made considerable progress. Shortly after taking office, I attended the ASEAN-related summit meetings, APEC, and the G20. In addition to the G7 leaders, I have held bilateral meetings with many world leaders. Even today, I had two summit telephone calls. Step by step, we are enhancing Japan’s presence in the international community. We should remain a nation that is trusted and relied upon by many countries, and I will continue to strive to ensure so. Regarding human resources, operational grants to institutions such as universities had stagnated for years, but we have significantly increased them. We have also expanded competitive research funding and launched initiatives to increase science-oriented education in high schools, including vocational and technical colleges. To strengthen every aspect of our national power, economic growth is indispensable. When I took office, prices were soaring and there was a sense of indescribable stagnation. We swiftly compiled a supplementary budget to ease the burden on as many people as possible. The budget for this fiscal year, which has now been enacted, includes many measures that must be implemented now before time runs out to strengthen Japan’s national power. Therefore