S/ Koizumi Shinjiro, Defense Minister / (Exporting defense equipment) is an important policy tool for creating a desirable security environment for our country. As we engage in defense diplomacy, I want to enhance top-level sales efforts.

New Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro made the remarks during his visit to the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Yokosuka base on October 25.

Koizumi emphasized the importance of swiftly revising the existing rules for exporting defense equipment to facilitate the move.

He inspected the state-of-the-art destroyer Kumano of the Mogami class with advanced stealth capabilities and which can operate with about half the crew of traditional vessels.

The Australian government has decided to procure upgraded Mogami-class frigate for its navy.