【防衛省設置法案】青木愛議員が小泉防衛大臣に、軍事力の一辺倒からハード・ソフト両面を組み合わせた戦略の必要性や自衛官の処遇改善、南西地域の防衛体制などをただす（2026年6月24日参議院本会議）

On June 24, 2026, during a plenary session of the House of Councillors, Constitutional Democratic Party member Ai Aoki questioned Defense Minister Koizumi about the "Bill to Amend Part of the Law Establishing the Ministry of Defense, etc." Amidst a tense international situation, including the fifth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, she advocated for a security strategy that integrates not only military strength but also the "soft power" that Japan has cultivated, such as ODA and overseas cooperation corps. This broadcast covers the questioning, which addressed essential issues for protecting the lives of citizens, including the efficiency of defense spending, improved treatment of Self-Defense Forces personnel, the defense system in the southwestern region, the significance of reorganizing into the Aerospace Self-Defense Force, and the reasons for increasing the number of Vice Ministers of Defense. [Key Points] ・Breaking away from an overemphasis on military power and integrating soft power She pointed out that in the midst of rapidly changing international circumstances, there are limits to deterrence that relies solely on military power. Incorporating the theories of Professor Joseph Nye, the report clearly positioned Japan's long-standing ODA and Overseas Cooperation Volunteers activities as "diplomatic assets" in the next three security documents, emphasizing the need for a strategy combining both hard and soft aspects. Optimization of Defense Capabilities within Limited Resources and Improvement of Treatment for Self-Defense Force Personnel Amidst the progress of responding to "new ways of fighting," such as the mass operation of unmanned aerial vehicles, the report demanded a continuous review of existing equipment and the efficiency and prioritization of the overall defense budget. Furthermore, recognizing the challenging recruitment environment for Self-Defense Force personnel on the front lines, the report called for the development of secure facilities and adequate treatment commensurate with their duties and career plans. Concerns Regarding the Unification of Southwestern Regional Defense and Reorganization of the Ministry of Defense The report pursued operational challenges and effects regarding the changes in the command structure resulting from the transfer of the Miyako and Yaeyama Security Units following the reorganization from the 15th Brigade to the 15th Division. Furthermore, the report rigorously questioned the true significance of the name change to the Aerospace Self-Defense Force and the appropriateness of increasing the number of Vice Ministers of Defense by one as an organizational reform. [Timestamps] 00:00 Opening and speech by Representative Ai Aoki 00:50 International situation and securing the safety of the Strait of Hormuz 02:17 Moving away from deterrence = military power: The importance of soft power 04:42 Responding to new ways of fighting and streamlining and prioritizing defense spending 06:12 Separating security policy from economic growth policy 07:08 The ideal number of Self-Defense Force personnel in light of the declining birthrate and the utilization of AI and unmanned assets 07:55 Reorganization into the 15th Division and the defense system and command structure in the southwestern region 09:33 Significance of reorganization into the Aerospace Self-Defense Force and differences from the Air Self-Defense Force 11:59 Facility development for specialized space units and improvement of treatment for Self-Defense Force personnel 13:33 Specific reasons for increasing the number of Vice Ministers of Defense by one and early retirement benefits 16:13 Response by Minister of Defense Koizumi #ConstitutionalDemocraticParty #AiAoki #ShinjiroKoizumi #HouseofCouncillorsPlenarySession #MinistryofDefenseEstablishmentLaw #Security #SoftPower #ODA #DefenseBudget #ImprovedTreatmentofSelfDefenseForces #15thDivision #JapanAerospaceSelfDefenseForce #ParliamentaryBroadcast ◆Please subscribe and like!◆    / @立憲民主党-cdp   Thank you for your continued support of the Constitutional Democratic Party. ◆Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan   / cdp2017   ◆Constitutional Democratic Party Instagram   / cdp2019.jp   ◆Constitutional Democratic Party TikTok   / cdp_rikkenminshu   ◆Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan LINE https://page.line.me/rikken?openQrMod... ◆Constitutional Democratic Party Facebook   / rikkenminshu   ◆Constitutional Democratic Party note https://note.com/cdpj ◆Constitutional Democratic Party Diet Information    / @cdp_kokkai