[Ambassador] Reception for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces Day 2024

On the 3rd of October, the Mission of Japan held the 2024 Reception for the Japan Self-Defense Forces Day at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence. Approximately 200 guests, including Admiral Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Defence and the Belgium Armed Forces, members of the International Staff and the International Military Staff of the NATO, representatives and military representatives to the NATO, and ambassadors and military attachés from the diplomatic corps in Belgium attended the reception.

This year marks the 70th anniversary since the foundation of the Japan Self-Defence Forces (JSDF). On the occasion of the reception, Ambassador Mikami Masahiro made remarks, recalling the history since the establishment of the JSDF and fundamental defense capability enhancement following a revision of the National Defense Strategy, and stated that Japan would continue its support to Ukraine in cooperation with other like-minded countries. The reception also provided an opportunity to introduce the activities of JSDF and Japan's defense technologies at the booth by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation to showcase Japanese defense equipment. The Embassy's deputy defence attaché also performed Iaido, a Japanese martial art.