(Press Release, provisional translation)
May 7, 2024
Japan Ministry of Defense
Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Matsumoto visited the Republic of Djibouti from May 3 to 6. The summary is as follows. Note that date and time in below is Eastern African Time (EAT).
- Japan Self-Defense Forces facility in Djibouti
On Saturday May 4, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Matsumoto visited the Japan Self-Defense Forces facility in Djibouti and received a briefing on missions of the counter-piracy units and visited the facility. The facility started operating in 2011 and its importance is growing for operations such as counter-piracy activities, and transportation of Japanese nationals overseas.
- The 13th Anniversary Commemoration Event of the Establishment of the Japan Self-Defense Forces facility in Djibouti
On Sunday May 5, event commemorating the 13th anniversary of the establishment of the JSDF facility in Djibouti took place. Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Matsumoto participated in the event and expressed his gratitude toward the Government of Djibouti, the Djiboutian Armed Forces, and other foreign militaries stationed in Djibouti for their support and cooperation. Additionally, he mentioned the new mission assigned to the counter-piracy units to maintain a temporary posture for possible rescue and transportation of Japanese nationals overseas, and expressed his intention of further developing cooperation and exchanges with the Djiboutian Armed Forces as well as his expectations for continuous exchanges with foreign militaries stationed in Djibouti.
- Courtesy Call on H.E. Mr. Bourhan, Minister of Defense
On the same day, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Matsumoto paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Hassan Omar Mohamed Bourhan, Minister of Defense. Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Matsumoto expressed his gratitude for supporting JSDF activities and Minister Bourhan once again extended his warm welcome to the stationing of JSDF and its activities. Moreover, they have confirmed progress on their defense cooperation and exchanges and reaffirmed their intentions on further collaboration of the JSDF and the Djiboutian Armed Forces.
- Meeting with H.E. Mr. Ali Hassan, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
On the same day, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Matsumoto had a meeting with H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ali Hassan, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. At the meeting, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Matsumoto expressed his gratitude for supporting JSDF activities and Secretary General Hassan renewed his warm welcome to the stationing of JSDF and their activities. Moreover, they exchanged views on regional affairs and reaffirmed their intentions on further developing defense cooperation.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Matsumoto’s Visit to the Republic of Djibouti (Summary) (PDF)