Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru has vowed to continue strengthening the defense capability of the Self-Defense Forces amid the current tough security environment.
Kihara was speaking at a regular news conference on Tuesday, a day after the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Self-Defense Forces.
He said Japanese people have trusted the SDF because each SDF member has been working faithfully with a belief that the purpose of the forces is to serve people at any time.
Kihara said that in recent years Japan has been facing the most severe and complicated security situation since the end of World War Two.
He stressed the importance for Japan to continue to drastically strengthen its defense capabilities so the SDF can protect people's lives and peace at any time.