Ambassador’s Speech at the Reception to celebrate the 71st Self Defence Forces Day of Japan

 
Esteemed H.E. Mr. Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Defense Pakistan
and all Honorable guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Assalam-o-alaikum and good evening.
 
I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your participation in the 71st Self-Defense Forces Commemoration Reception.
I am delighted to celebrate the 71st anniversary of Japan Self-Defense Forces established in 1954 together with Pakistani military officials and representatives from the diplomatic community in Pakistan.
 
At the outset, I would like to express my deepest condolences for the loss of lives and sympathy for the devastating damage caused by the floods this summer in Pakistan. I pray for the swift recovery of the affected areas. Like Pakistan, Japan faces severe natural disasters almost every year, and we wish to continue supporting Pakistan in enhancing its disaster prevention capabilities and recovery efforts.
 
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the World War II. From the time of devastation at the end of the war to today, the Japanese people have consistently walked the path of a peaceful nation, determined to never repeat the horrors of war.
 
The Self-Defense Forces have fulfilled their roles in domestic and international security while maintaining a commitment to pacifism. Since the 1990s, they have expanded their roles to include international peacekeeping operations (PKO) and disaster relief operations, growing into an organization trusted by the Japanese people and the world. They continue to evolve as Defense Forces that balance domestic security and contributions to the international community.
 
In relations to Pakistan, the Self-Defense Forces provided airlift support for relief supplies as part of international emergency assistance in response to the flood damage in 2010. In response to the earthquake disaster in Turkey in 2023, the Self Defense Forces cooperated with the Pakistan Army to airlift tents from Pakistan to Turkey. Regarding training, the Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer MURASAME participated in the multinational exercise AMAN25 held in February this year, further deepening exchanges with the Pakistan Navy.
In May, a group of officers from the National Security and War Course at the Pakistan National Defense University visited Japan.
Furthermore, a Military-to-Military Consultations are scheduled to be held in December, and we will continue to enhance such defense cooperation and exchanges.
 
Ladies and gentlemen,
Japan and Pakistan share many values, including multilateralism centered on the United Nations and the rule of law. Both nations actively contribute to regional maritime security as members of the Combined Maritime Forces, an international framework leading counter-piracy and counter-terrorism operations in the Gulf of Aden, the Persian Gulf and other areas.
They also make significant contributions to maintaining international peace by dispatching military personnel to UN peacekeeping missions and supporting capacity building for PKO personnel. It is important to develop cooperative relations in these areas and effectively contribute to regional peace and stability.
 
Distinguished guests, Japan places great importance on promoting disarmament and non-proliferation, and has consistently worked toward realizing a “world without nuclear weapons” since the end of the World War II. During the previous world war, atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, claiming the lives of over 200,000 precious souls. The cities were reduced to scorched earth, and the dreams and bright futures of these people were mercilessly taken away.

Those who survived faced indescribable hardships in their subsequent lives. The catastrophe brought upon Hiroshima and Nagasaki 80 years ago, and the suffering of their people, must never be repeated. As the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings in war, it is the mission of our country, to steadily accumulate efforts towards realizing a “world without nuclear weapons.” No matter how challenging the path to a “world without nuclear weapons” may be, we cannot halt our progress. Here in Pakistan too, we wish to build momentum towards nuclear disarmament and take steps forward toward realizing a “world without nuclear weapons”. We ask for your understanding and support.
 
Ladies and gentlemen,
Recently, in Japan, the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 has terminated by 13th of this month.  At the beautiful Expo venue, numerous cutting-edge technologies friendly to both human and the environment were exhibited, leaving a deep impression on over 29 million visitors. Among these, Pakistan exhibited a pavilion under the theme “A Universe in a Grain of Salt,” using pink salt. It attracted over 1.5 million visitors cumulatively and gaining great popularity. We express our gratitude for Pakistan’s cooperation in the Expo.
During the Expo, high-level visits to Japan followed one after another: Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan in May, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Industry and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan in August, leading to significant progress in the further development of Japan-Pakistan relations.
 
In Japan, on 21^st of October, Sanae Takaichi, the new President of the Liberal Democratic Party, was elected as Prime Minister, marking the first female Prime Minister in Japan. Under the leadership of the new Prime Minister Takaichi, we look forward that the bonds between Japan and Pakistan will develop into even stronger ones based on mutual respect and cooperation.
 
Lastly, on the occasion of the 71st Self-Defense Forces Day Reception, I conclude my greetings by wishing for the realization of a peaceful world without nuclear weapons and further development of relations between our two countries.
 
Bahut(バホット) Shukriya(シュクリヤ).