Japan Self-Defense Forces Day celebrated.

ISLAMABAD -- Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Kuninori Matsuda and Naoko Matsuda hosted a reception here on Wednesday to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Japan Self-Defense Forces Day.

Lt General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, HI(M), Adjutant General, General Headquarters, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Colonel Mamoru Nanjo, Defense Attache, Embassy of Japan, represented the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).

The reception was attended by the parliamentarians, senior civilian and military officials of the Government of Pakistan, members of the diplomatic community and other dignitaries from the public and private sectors.

The JSDF Day celebrates the establishment of the Japan Defense Agency and the inauguration of the Japan Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces on 1st July, 1954.

The Japan Defense Agency was upgraded to the Ministry of Defense in 2007.

In his welcome speech, Kuninori Matsuda touched upon the various aspects of the long history of Japan-Pakistan friendship while emphasizing the need for further collaboration as there are lots of potentials to develop between the two countries.

He said JSDF in collaboration with Pakistani forces carried out missions at the times of...