Munich Security Conference: Speech and Dialogue (Summary)

Ministry of Defense of Japan

(Press Release, provisional translation)

Feb 13, 2026

Japan Ministry of Defense

On February 13, 2026, commencing at 3:10 PM (local time) for approximately 20 minutes, Minister of Defense Koizumi, who was visiting Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference, delivered a speech on Japan’s security and defense policy and participated in a dialogue on the main stage of the Munich Security Conference.

1. He noted that we are living in an era of uncertainty, where the very foundations that have underpinned the international order—namely the rule of law, freedom of navigation, and respect for sovereignty—are being tested by real-world actions, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the Indo-Pacific.
2. Against this backdrop, he outlined the key initiatives being advanced under the Takaichi administration: strengthening Japan’s own defense capabilities, further reinforcing the Japan-U.S. Alliance, and expanding a multi-layered network of interconnectivity originating in the Indo-Pacific region.
3. He further expressed Japan’s determination to fulfill its responsibilities alongside our ally and like-minded partners, and to remain a partner that contributes to peace and stability in the international community through security cooperation that is not confined to any single region.