Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, hosted a reception last night at the Embassy of Japan to mark the 71st anniversary of Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) Day, where Colonel ABE Kazuo, Defense Attach\u00e9, represented the JSDF at the event.
\nThe ceremony was graced by the chief guest Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Defense, who joined Ambassador Akamatsu and other dignitaries in cutting the commemorative cake following the national anthems of Japan and Pakistan.
\nThe reception drew participation from military officials, government ministers, parliamentarians, senior officials, diplomatic representatives, and key figures from the public and private sectors.
\nIn the speech of Ambassador Akamatsu, he first expressed his deep condolences for the loss of lives and devastation caused by the summer floods in Pakistan.
\nHe reaffirmed Japan\u2019s commitment to support Pakistan\u2019s disaster prevention and recovery efforts, highlighting Japan\u2019s experience with frequent natural disasters.
\nAmbassador Akamatsu also recalled several JSDF cooperations, including airlift assistance during Pakistan\u2019s 2010 floods and joint efforts with the Pakistan Army in aid after the Turkiye earthquake.<\/p>\n
He noted the active defense collaborations this year, such as the Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer MURASAME\u2019s participation in the multinational exercise AMAN25 naval exercise.
\nAlso, in May this year, a group of officers from the National Security and War Course at Pakistan\u2019s National Defense University visited Japan. Furthermore, Military-to-Military Consultations are scheduled to be held in December to enhance such defense cooperation and exchanges.
\nSince this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War, Ambassador Akamatsu emphasized the importance of promoting disarmament and non-proliferation and of consistently working towards realizing a \u201cworld without nuclear weapons\u201d as Japan is the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings in 1945.
\nHe also expressed his wish to build momentum towards nuclear disarmament and take steps forward to realizing it.
\nFurther, Ambassador Akamatsu expressed gratitude for Pakistan\u2019s successful participation in the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, particularly applauding the Pakistan pavilion\u2019s vibrant exhibit themed, \u201cA Universe in a Grain of Salt,\u201d which attracted more than 1.5 million visitors.
\nTo conclude, Ambassador Akamatsu expressed optimism that under the leadership of Japan\u2019s newly elected first female Prime Minister, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, bonds between Japan and Pakistan will develop into even stronger ones based on mutual respect and cooperation.
\nJSDF Day commemorates the establishment of the Japan Defense Agency and JSDF on July 1, 1954. The celebration date now falls on November 1 to align with JSDF\u2019s critical role in responding to natural disasters like typhoons.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, hosted a reception last night at the Embassy of Japan to mark the 71st anniversary of Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) Day, where Colonel ABE Kazuo, Defense Attach\u00e9, represented the JSDF at the event. The ceremony was graced by the chief guest Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Defense, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":511801,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-511791","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n