ISLAMABAD: Japan and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to peace and dialogue on Thursday on the 72nd anniversary of Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) Day.
Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Shuichi Akamatsu hosted a reception on Thursday to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) Day.
The ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif as the chief guest and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, member of the National Assembly and former prime minister of Pakistan, as the special guest on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari. They joined Ambassador Akamatsu in cutting the commemorative cake following the national anthems of Japan and Pakistan and speeches by the dignitaries.
A video message from Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi Shinjiro was also played. The reception was attended by military officials, government ministers, parliamentarians, senior officials, diplomatic representatives and prominent figures from the public and private sectors.
In his speech, Ambassador Akamatsu said the history of the Japan Self-Defense Forces embodied Japan’s “will to seek peace”. The JSDF continued to adhere to the principles of “pacifism” and the policy of “exclusive defence”.
“The peace we seek is not of ‘silence’ but of ‘dialogue’, not ‘division’ but ‘cooperation’, and not one governed by ‘force’ but one underpinned by the ‘rule of law’,” the ambassador said.
He also said that preserving peace required more than a display of military power and demanded the continuous building of bridges through 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,” he said.
Ambassador Akamatsu also recalled several instances of cooperation involving the JSDF. These included educational exchanges, such as the acceptance of international students at the Ground Self-Defense Force’s Fuji School; airlift assistance by a Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter unit during the 2010 floods in northwestern Pakistan; and the participation of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s escort ship Murasame in the multinational naval exercise AMAN 25.
The ambassador expressed hope that the reception would provide an opportunity to deepen understanding of the Japan Self-Defense Forces and further strengthen friendly relations between Japan and Pakistan.
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 the JSDF on July 1, 1954. The celebration is now held on November 1 to recognise the JSDF’s critical role in responding to natural disasters such as typhoons.
Speaking as the chief guest at the reception, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan and Japan had reaffirmed their commitment to promoting regional and global peace through dialogue, diplomacy and cooperation. He said Pakistan appreciated Japan’s continued support for its mediation efforts in the Iran-US conflict.
He appreciated the support expressed by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives, saying the shared commitment of the two countries underscored the importance of peaceful conflict resolution amid complex geopolitical challenges.
He extended felicitations to the government and people of Japan and members of its Self-Defense Forces on the occasion. He also thanked the Japanese ambassador for hosting the gathering.
He said the Japan Self-Defense Forces reflected the country’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and national security while contributing to international peace and stability. Their professionalism, technological advancement and role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief were widely recognised, he added.
Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2026
