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Koizumi visited the Air Self-Defense Force’s Yokota Base and the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Yokosuka Base in succession, where he offered encouragement to personnel. At Yokosuka, he inspected the escort ship “Kumano,” the same model of which is scheduled to be exported to Australia. “Defense equipment and technology cooperation is expanding, and this reflects the world’s growing expectations for Japan’s high technological capabilities. Meeting these expectations will contribute to international peace and stability, and as I pursue defense diplomacy, I intend to strengthen top-level sales,” Koizumi said. He went on to note that, following the agreement between the Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) to remove restrictions on defense equipment exports, “I will carefully explain the necessity of achieving a virtuous cycle between defense and the economy.” Source: FNN
