Ishiba's New Year's address emphasizes diplomatic and defense capabilities...Diplomacy with the U.S. begins in earnest in February.

[Anchor]
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stressed that he will further strengthen diplomacy and defense capabilities in the new year.

Prime Minister Ishiba is reportedly coordinating an early summit with next President Trump next month, but cooperation between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan still seems uncertain.

Correspondent Kim Se-ho's report from Tokyo.

[Reporter]
In his New Year's address, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stressed that the international situation is severe, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and North Korea's missile provocations.

In the meantime, he said he would use diplomacy and defense as the wheels of his car to protect Japan's national interests.

Earlier, the Japanese government set this year's defense budget at 81 trillion won, the largest ever,
It also promised to improve the treatment of members of the Self-Defense Forces, the basis of the
defense force.

[Shigeru Ishiba / Japanese Prime Minister (April 27): We will strengthen our defense capabilities, improve the treatment of self-defense officers, and strengthen our human base as the security environment is becoming the most severe after the war.]

In the meantime, Prime Minister Ishiba is reportedly coordinating with the U.S. side for a visit to the U.S. next month and an early summit with next President Trump.

It is expected to focus its efforts on minimizing uncertainty in diplomacy with the U.S. by persuading the second Trump administration, which advocates strong U.S.-centeredness.

However, the trend of strengthening cooperation between Korea and Japan, Korea, and the U.S. is still foggy.

This is because the uncertainty of the Korean government, which is maintained under the acting president system, makes stable cooperation diplomacy difficult.

Prime Minister Ishiba is launching full-fledged diplomacy with the U.S. in the New Year, but
The political instability of South Korea, which is being heightened by
, is expected to serve as a significant variable for Japan's diplomatic initiative for the time being.

I'm Kim Se-ho from YTN in Tokyo.