(Press Release)
August 19, 2025
Japan Ministry of Defense
1. Courtesy Call on the President of the Republic of Djibouti
On August 18, at 11:30 local time, Defense Minister Nakatani paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic of Djibouti, S.E.M. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh for approximately 25 minutes. The summary of the meeting is as follows:
(1) Minister Nakatani stated his appreciation toward the Djibouti government’s longstanding support for the JSDF activities in Djibouti, including the provision of land, which is essential for the JSDF to conduct operations such as counter-piracy activities, information gathering activities in the Middle East, and transfer of Japanese nationals and others overseas. .
(2) Both President Guelleh and Minister Nakatani confirmed to further strengthen defense cooperation and exchanges between Japan and Djibouti.
2. Meeting with the Acting Minister of Defense of the Republic of Djibouti
On August 18, at 9:00 local time, Defense Minister Nakatani held a meeting with Acting Minister of Defense of the Republic of Djibouti, S.E.M. Hassan Houmed Ibrahim for approximately 45 minutes. The summary of the meeting is as follows:
(1) At the outset of the meeting, Minister Nakatani stated that Djibouti is an extremely important partner for Japan in realizing a vision of “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” and also stated his appreciation toward the Djibouti government’s longstanding support for the JSDF activities in Djibouti, including the provision of land , which is essential for the JSDF to conduct operations such as counter-piracy activities, information gathering activities in the Middle East, and transfer of Japanese nationals and others overseas. In response, Minister Hassan stated the importance of Japan-Djibouti bilateral relationship and thanked Japan for its assistance toward the Republic of Djibouti.
(2) The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional situations, and Minister Nakatani expressed the intention of Japan to continue contributing to the peace and stability of the region, including counter-piracy measures in offshore Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, which is an extremely important sea-lane connecting Europe and Asia. Minister Hassan responded by stating his expectations for JSDF’s continuous activities in the region.
(3) The two Ministers concurred on the significance of deepening defense cooperation and exchanges with between the two countries for the peace and stability of the region, and the two Ministers affirmed that Japan will initiate a new capacity building assistance program regarding the training of military band, in addition to the existing program regarding the improvement of disaster relief capabilities.
(4) The two Ministers confirmed to deepen exchanges between the units, and to continue high-level exchanges and educational exchanges.
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