The Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) hosted the 4th Professional Airmanship Program (PAP) between 10-11 July. During this period, Air Force officers from ASEAN countries were invited to Japan to foster mutual understanding and trust, and share expertise in Air Domain Awareness (ADA).
The PAP builds on Japan's proposal at the 4th ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting in October 2018. The program is conducted with a view to strengthen ASEAN’s resilience, in order to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) under the Vientiane Vision 2.0, a guiding principle for Japan-ASEAN defense cooperation.
The 4th PAP culminated in the further promotion of mutual understanding and trust building among participants from ASEAN countries and JMOD/JSDF. This included Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel who are actively engaged in operational delivery every day. In addition, as one of the new efforts under the Japan-ASEAN Ministerial Initiative for Enhanced Defense Cooperation (JASMINE), JMOD/JSDF held a lecture on the concept of Air Domain Awareness and related challenges from the standpoint of international law. Following the lecture, participants confirmed the importance of rule of law.
Main Program
●Seminar
"The Concept of Air Domain Awareness and Related Challenges: From the Standpoint of International Law"
Dr. EIFUKU Seiya, Senior Research Fellow, Government and Law Division, the National Institute for Defense Studies, JMOD, gave a lecture on ADA and the related challenges in the field of international law. Participants from ASEAN countries also gave presentations and exchanged opinions.
●Base visit
Through the tour of JSDF 1st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (Kasatoriyama Sub-Base), Japan shared expertise relevant to ADA with the participants.
