Islamabad: H.E. Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, hosted a reception today to mark the 71st anniversary of Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) Day. Defense Attaché, Colonel ABE Kazuo represented the JSDF at the Embassy.
The ceremony was graced by the chief guest H.E. Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Defense, Pakistan, who joined Ambassador Akamatsu and other dignitaries in cutting the commemorative cake following the national anthems of Japan and Pakistan. The reception drew participation from military officials, government ministers, parliamentarians, senior officials, diplomatic representatives, and key figures from the public and private sectors.
In 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. He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to support Pakistan’s disaster prevention and recovery efforts, highlighting Japan’s experience with frequent natural disasters.
Ambassador Akamatsu also recalled several JSDF cooperations, including airlift assistance during Pakistan’s 2010 floods and joint efforts with the Pakistan Army in aid after the Turkiye earthquake. He noted the active defense collaborations this year, such as the Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer MURASAME’s participation in the multinational exercise AMAN25 naval exercise. Also, in May this year, a group of officers from the National Security and War Course at the Pakistan’s National Defense University visited Japan. Furthermore, Military-to-Military Consultations are scheduled to be held in December to enhance such defense cooperation and exchanges.
Since this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the World War Ⅱ, Ambassador Akamatsu emphasized the importance to promote disarmament and non-proliferation and to consistently work towards realizing a “world without nuclear weapons” as Japan being the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings in 1945. –PR
