The Embassy of Japan here celebrated 50th anniversary of Self-Defence Forces (SDF) day to commemorate the establishment of the Japan Defence Agency and the inauguration of Japan's Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defence Forces on 1 July 1954.
H.E. Minoru Shibuya, Ambassador of Japan hosted a reception on Monday in this connection where Babar Khan Ghauri, Minister for Communication was the chief guest. Colonel Makoto Shimasue, Defence Attache, Embassy of Japan, represented the Japanese self-defence Force (SDF).
Parliamentarians, senior civil and military officials, the diplomatic community and other important dignitaries attended the reception.
After World War II, Japan has resolved to ensure that the horrors of war will never be repeated and has since, made tenacious efforts to establish itself as a peace-loving nation. The establishment of eternal peace is a sincere wish shared by the Japanese people. As long as Japan is a sovereign state, it is recognised beyond doubt that the provision in the article does not deny the inherent right of self-defence that Japan is entitled to maintain as a sovereign nation.
The principal mission of the SDF is to defend Japan. However, its activities in the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awa Earthquake and saran gas-related incidents in Japan have made the public aware that the SDF exist to protect the lives and possessions of the Japanese people.
Furthermore, in Cambodia, Mozambique, Congo and East Timor, the Self-Defence Forces conducted peacekeeping operations.
They have also made contributions to anti-terror war activities by extending its logistical support to the Allied Forces in the Indian Ocean and other areas and to the reconstruction of Iraq by sending troops to Iraq. These efforts have received positive evaluations from abroad.