Minoru Kihara (politician)
Kihara Minoru | |
|---|---|
木原 稔 | |
 Minoru Kihara in 2023 | |
| Minister of Defense | |
| In office 13 September 2023 – 1 October 2024 | |
| Prime Minister | Fumio Kishida |
| Preceded by | Yasukazu Hamada |
| Succeeded by | Gen Nakatani |
| 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 | 12 August 1969 Kumamoto, Japan |
| Political party | Liberal Democratic Party |
| Alma mater | Waseda University |
Minoru Kihara (木原 稔, Kihara Minoru, born 12 August 1969) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Defense between 2023 and 2024. 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
[edit]House of Representatives
[edit]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] Kihara served as the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister for National Security Affairs from 2019 to 2021, for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Yoshihide Suga.[2]
Kihara is considered a pro-Taiwan MP.[3][4][5] 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.[6] 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.[6]
In July 2023, Kihara participated in a war game conducted by the think tank, Japan Forum for Strategic Studies, the war game simulated a Chinese attack on Taiwan. In the war game, Kihara played the role of Japan's defense minister and proposed using "counterattack capabilities" against China to resist the invasion.[5]
Minister of Defense
[edit]Following a cabinet reshuffle on 13 September 2023, he was appointed minister of defense.[7] Kihara announced on September 15, 2023 that he resigned as secretary general of cross-party group dedicated to enhancing Japan–Taiwan relations, in order to devote himself to his new duties.[8]
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.[9] To help meet recruitment goals for Japan's core cyber defense forces, Kihara proposed loosening fitness requirements and offering higher salaries for new recruits.[10]
Kihara received criticism for his remarks in October 2023 at a political rally to support the LDP in a by-election, where he stated that "Supporting the LDP candidate will repay the efforts of the Self-Defense Forces and their families.”[11] Critics claimed that Kihara had used the SDF for political purposes, and had violated its political neutrality.[11][12] Kihara later retracted his remarks for causing a "misunderstanding".[11][13]
On May 2, 2024 Kihara met with defense chief counterparts from the United States, Philippines, and Australia in Hawaii.[14] In a series of bilateral, trilateral, and quadrilateral talks Kihara alongside his counterparts reaffirmed commitments to maintaining a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.[15]
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References
[edit]- ^ "政治家情報 〜木原 稔〜". Archived from the original on 2007-12-01.
- ^ "KIHARA Minoru (The Cabinet)". Prime Minister's Office of Japan. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "Japan's Kishida taps pro-Taiwan MP as new defence minister in cabinet shake-up". South China Morning Post. 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
- ^ Murakami, Sakura (September 14, 2023). "Japan's new cabinet reflects PM's focus on gender and defence". Reuters. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
- ^ a b "Japan's Kishida taps pro-Taiwan politician as defense minister | Taiwan News | Sep. 14, 2023 15:43". taiwannews.com.tw. 2023-09-14. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Johnson, Jesse (2023-10-16). "Defense chief retracts comments implying LDP vote would be good for SDF". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
- ^ "Defense minister's miscue is an opening for the opposition". The Japan Times. 2023-10-18. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
- ^ "Defense Chief Retracts Remark Linking Vote for LDP to SDF". 時事通信ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-05-06.
- ^ 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
[edit]- Official website in Japanese.
