Latest news with #TheDefenseMinistry
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan's Defense Ministry to Create Another Senior Vice Minister Post; Aims to Boost Emergency Response Capabilities
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo The Defense Ministry The Defense Ministry has decided to have two senior vice minister posts, according to several government and ruling-party sources. The move is aimed at bolstering the ministry's ability to respond swiftly to emergencies, such as natural disasters and North Korea's repeated ballistic missile launches. It will be written into the Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform to be finalized later this month. Alongside the cabinet minister, the positions of senior vice minister and parliamentary secretary are the other two senior roles filled by political appointment. Many ministries, including the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry and the Foreign Ministry, already operate with two senior vice ministers. At the Defense Ministry, either the minister or the senior vice minister is normally on standby in Tokyo in case crisis management is needed. In recent years, however, the security environment surrounding Japan has worsened and demand for Self-Defense Force disaster-relief operations has grown, increasing the burden of emergency response. After ironing out the details, the government plans to submit a bill to amend the National Government Organization Law, in which the number of senior vice ministers is stipulated, to the Diet.
Russia Today
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Zelensky announces push to enlist younger men
Ukraine must enlist more young men into its armed forces, as a number of units face a pressing need for reinforcements, according to the country's leader, Vladimir Zelensky. In a regular news briefing on Monday, Zelensky announced that the military leadership had approved an expansion of recruitment targeting citizens aged 18 to 24. While mandatory conscription applies to men over 24, the government is trying to encourage younger individuals to volunteer by offering an array of incentives. 'I visited the front on Saturday. There is a demand from specific brigades, and we will be responding positively to it. There will be more brigades employing young specialists,' Zelensky stated. 'This initiative will extend to the National Guard and border guard units, as all effective defense forces should be given every opportunity to enhance their capabilities.' Under a recruitment campaign launched in February, young adults are promised 1 million hryvnia ($24,000) for a year of military service, as well as free dental care and the option to leave Ukraine after fulfilling their contract – an option not available to regular fighting-age men. Read more Kiev 'disrespecting citizens' by using cheeseburgers in military draft – ex-Ukrainian diplomat The Defense Ministry is promoting the offer by showing how much recruits can buy with the money – equating it to 15,625 cheeseburgers or 185 years of Netflix subscriptions. Critics have condemned the ad campaign as demeaning to potential recruits. Last year, Zelensky reduced the minimum conscription age from 27 to 25, but refrained from further adjustments, citing concerns over the economic and demographic impact. Western supporters have urged Kiev to enlist younger men, saying the aging Ukrainian army is struggling to fight effectively. Ukraine is intensifying its mobilization efforts as the US attempts to mediate a resolution to the conflict with Russia, leveraging Kiev's reliance on foreign aid. Washington has convinced both sides to agree to a moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure. After several attacks, however, Moscow has accused Kiev of not honoring its obligation and has threatened to pull out of the 30-day partial ceasefire. Over the past few days, US officials met separately with Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia to explore the potential resumption of the Black Sea Initiative, aimed at facilitating maritime exports.
