Minoru Kihara (politician): Difference between revisions
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On October 3, 2023 Kihara visited the United States, where he met with U.S. officials to reaffirm commitment to the [[U.S.–Japan Alliance|U.S.-Japan alliance]] and advance new areas of cooperation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 6, 2023 |title=Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting (Summary) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2023/10/41f53aa84afe7d9b1e12f41fe7e3e8de59df8aa7.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/iLqgI |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=Ministry of Defence}}</ref> To help meet recruitment goals for Japan's core cyber defense forces, Kihara proposed loosening fitness requirements and offering higher salaries for new recruits.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaneko |first=Kaori |last2=Kelly |first2=Tim |last3=Geddie |first3=John |date=2024-04-26 |title=The glitch in Japan's plans to bolster U.S. defense |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/04/26/japan/politics/japan-security-vulnerabilities/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=The Japan Times |language=en}}</ref> |
On October 3, 2023 Kihara visited the United States, where he met with U.S. officials to reaffirm commitment to the [[U.S.–Japan Alliance|U.S.-Japan alliance]] and advance new areas of cooperation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 6, 2023 |title=Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting (Summary) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2023/10/41f53aa84afe7d9b1e12f41fe7e3e8de59df8aa7.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/iLqgI |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=Ministry of Defence}}</ref> To help meet recruitment goals for Japan's core cyber defense forces, Kihara proposed loosening fitness requirements and offering higher salaries for new recruits.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaneko |first=Kaori |last2=Kelly |first2=Tim |last3=Geddie |first3=John |date=2024-04-26 |title=The glitch in Japan's plans to bolster U.S. defense |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/04/26/japan/politics/japan-security-vulnerabilities/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=The Japan Times |language=en}}</ref> |
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On May 2, 2024 Kihara met with defense chief counterparts from the United States, Philippines, and Australia in Hawaii.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Jesse |date=2024-05-03 |title=With eye on China, defense chiefs agree to bolster interoperability |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/05/03/asia-pacific/politics/us-japan-australia-philippines-defense-chiefs/ |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=The Japan Times |language=en}}</ref> |
On May 2, 2024 Kihara met with defense chief counterparts from the United States, Philippines, and Australia in Hawaii.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Jesse |date=2024-05-03 |title=With eye on China, defense chiefs agree to bolster interoperability |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/05/03/asia-pacific/politics/us-japan-australia-philippines-defense-chiefs/ |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=The Japan Times |language=en}}</ref> In a series of bilateral, trilateral, and quadrilateral talks Kihara alongside his counterparts reaffirmed commitments to maintaining a [[Free and Open Indo-Pacific]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2024 |title=Defense Minister Kihara’s Visit to the United States (Summary) |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2024/05/f62d350215c24733ac509ec2514a99c231781e4a.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/kFTUQ |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=Ministry of Defense}}</ref> |
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[[File:231004-D-GD090-2050 (53233701352).jpg|thumb|Kihara with U.S. Secretary of Defense [[Lloyd Austin]] in Pentagon, Washington, D.C., 4 October 2023]] |
[[File:231004-D-GD090-2050 (53233701352).jpg|thumb|Kihara with U.S. Secretary of Defense [[Lloyd Austin]] in Pentagon, Washington, D.C., 4 October 2023]] |
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== References == |
== References == |
Revision as of 14:28, 5 May 2024
Kihara Minoru | |
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木原 稔 | |
25th Minister of Defense | |
Assumed office 13 September 2023 | |
Prime Minister | Fumio Kishida |
Preceded by | Yasukazu Hamada |
Member of the House of Representatives | |
Assumed office 11 September 2005 - 21 July 2009 18 December 2012 | |
Preceded by | Yorihisa Matsuno |
Constituency | Kyushu PR block (2005-2009) Kumamoto 1st district (2012-present) |
Personal details | |
Born | Kumamoto, Japan | 12 August 1969
Political party | Liberal Democratic Party |
Alma mater | Waseda University |
Minoru Kihara (木原 稔, Kihara Minoru, born August 12, 1969) is a Japanese politician who has served as the Minister of Defense since September 2023. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he also serves in the House of Representatives, and was previously the Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense.
Political career
House of Representatives
A native of Kumamoto and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected for the first time in 2005 after working at Japan Airlines until 2004.[1] In August 2022, Kihara was part of an unofficial Japanese delegation to Taiwan which met with Taiwanese officials, Premier Su Tseng-chang, and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.[2] An agreement was reached between the delegation and the Taiwanese government, to hold talks over evacuation plans for the 20,000 Japanese citizens living in Taiwan, in the event of a Chinese invasion.[2]
Minister of Defense
Following a cabinet reshuffle on 13 September 2023, he was appointed minister of defense.[3] Kihara announced on September 15, 2023 that he resigned from a cross-party group that enhances Japan-Taiwan relations.[4]
On October 3, 2023 Kihara visited the United States, where he met with U.S. officials to reaffirm commitment to the U.S.-Japan alliance and advance new areas of cooperation.[5] To help meet recruitment goals for Japan's core cyber defense forces, Kihara proposed loosening fitness requirements and offering higher salaries for new recruits.[6]
On May 2, 2024 Kihara met with defense chief counterparts from the United States, Philippines, and Australia in Hawaii.[7] In a series of bilateral, trilateral, and quadrilateral talks Kihara alongside his counterparts reaffirmed commitments to maintaining a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.[8]
References
- ^ "政治家情報 〜木原 稔〜". Archived from the original on 2007-12-01.
- ^ a b "Japan and Taiwan to begin talks on evacuation plans amid China's threats". The Japan Times. 2022-09-01. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ INC, SANKEI DIGITAL (2023-09-13). "第2次岸田再改造内閣の閣僚名簿発表". 産経新聞:産経ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ "Japan's new defense chief quits as pro-Taiwan group senior member".
- ^ "Japan-U.S. Defense Ministerial Meeting (Summary)". Ministry of Defence. October 6, 2023. Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ Kaneko, Kaori; Kelly, Tim; Geddie, John (2024-04-26). "The glitch in Japan's plans to bolster U.S. defense". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Johnson, Jesse (2024-05-03). "With eye on China, defense chiefs agree to bolster interoperability". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ "Defense Minister Kihara's Visit to the United States (Summary)". Ministry of Defense. May 4, 2024. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
External links
- Official website in Japanese.