The Japanese embassy in Islamabad hosted a ceremony marking the 71st founding day of the Japan Self Defense, attended by senior Pakistani and Japanese officials and representatives of the business community. Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi welcomed guests while Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif attended as the guest of honour. The event drew Investment Board Advisor Syed Feroz Shah, Honorary Consul General Syed Nadeem Alam Shah and his wife Khadija Nadeem, former federal minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, Ministers of State including Khel Das Kohistani and Barrister Aqeel Malik, as well as diplomats, government officials and media.
The programme opened with the national anthems of both countries, followed by a ceremonial cake cutting by the ambassador and the chief guests. Investment Board Advisor Syed Feroz Shah, Consul General Syed Nadeem Alam Shah and Khadija Nadeem presented floral bouquets to Ambassador Akamatsu and his wife in a gesture of goodwill and friendship between the two nations.
In his remarks, Ambassador Akamatsu underscored Japan’s commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons on the 80th anniversary of the end of the second world war and reiterated the importance of deepening defence ties. He highlighted recent practical cooperation, noting that the JSDF destroyer Murasame participated in the multinational Pakistan Navy exercise Aman 25 earlier this year and that officers from Pakistan’s National Defence University visited Japan in May. The ambassador also announced that the next defence consultations between the two countries are scheduled for December to further strengthen bilateral security cooperation.
Colonel Abe Kazuo, Japan’s defence attaché, represented the Japan Self Defense at the event, reflecting continued military-to-military contacts. Syed Feroz Shah praised Japan’s rapid post-war development as a model of economic, technological and social progress that also values human dignity, and he welcomed efforts to expand collaboration in defence and trade. The gathering underlined Islamabad’s interest in broadening ties with Tokyo across diplomatic, defence and business channels while maintaining mutual respect and cooperation.
