——- US Midterm elections’ results remained hot topic among guests at reception
By Eman Alam
ISLAMABADTo celebrate the 72nd anniversary OF Japan’s Self-Defense Forces Day (JSDFD) Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, AKAMATSU Shuichi, and Mrs. AKAMATSU Yumiko hosted a reception here yesterday while Defense Attaché, of the Japanese Embassy, Colonel TOYODA Takeshi represented the JSDF at the event.
. The reception drew participation from military officials, government ministers, parliamentarians, senior officials, diplomatic representatives, and key figures from the public and private sectors while Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was the chief guest at the event while former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Asahraf was also amongst the prominent guests who later joined Ambassador Akamatsu at a graceful cake cutting ceremony to mark the occasion that was followed by the national anthems of Japan and Pakistan, and respective speeches. At this occasion, a video message from Minister of Defense of Japan, H.E. Mr. KOIZUMI Shinjiro, was also played.
In speech at the occasion,, Ambassador Akamatsu said that the history of the Japan Self-Defense Forces was the very embodiment of Japan’s ‘Will to Seek Peace.’ He said that JSDF continues to adhere to the principle of ‘Pacifism’ and the policy of ‘Exclusive Defense.’ The Ambassador further stated that the peace Japan seek was not of ‘Silence’ but of ‘Dialogue’, not ‘Division’ but ‘Cooperation’ and not one governed by ‘Force’ but one underpinned by the ‘Rule of Law.’ Ambassador Akamatsu also said that the preserving peace required more than a display of military power, it demands the continuous building of bridges of dialogue. “I am convinced that Pakistan’s exceptional diplomatic skill in transforming ‘Dispute’ into ‘Dialogue’ deserves the highest recognition and praise from the international community, said the Ambassador”
Ambassador Akamatsu also recalled several instances of JSDF cooperation that included educational exchanges such as the acceptance of international students to Ground Self-Defense Force’s ‘Fuji School’; airlift assistance by Ground Self-Defense Forces’ helicopter unit during the 2010 flood in northwestern Pakistan; and the participation of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces’ escort ship, Murasame’s participation in the multinational naval exercise AMAN 25.
It is pertinent to mention here that this year marks the 72nd anniversary of the establishment of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. JSDF 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’s critical role in responding to natural disasters like typhoons.
The hottest topic of discussion amongst the guests at the reception remained the outcome of the US Midterm polls in which US President got a shock as his party failed to get the confidence of the voter. Some Arab guests were of the view that the new situation will ease the Mideast Peace process. They were of the view that under the new circumstance, Iran-US tensions will soon conclude into a better way while some were off the view that it will also help reshape the Gaza situation with Netanyahu getting in to more troubles because US Vice President JD Vance had already blamed the defeat in Midterm election to US Iran War fiasco and announced that US must change its foreign policy towards Israel. The foreign diplomats were heard gossiping that global energy sector will also see a new life as due to Trump’s unpredictable Presidency, fuel prices were going constantly unstable while soon after the Midterm polls results, global Oil prices took a sharp dive straightaway .
