自衛隊記念日レセプション 大使挨拶
令和8年7月7日
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Buonasera! Grazie mille per essere qui con noi oggi. È un grande piacere darvi il benvenuto in occasione del ricevimento per la giornata dedicata alle Forze di Autodifesa.
In occasione della recente Festa della Repubblica ho assistito per la prima volta alla parata e sono rimasta davvero colpita dall’orgoglio dimostrato da tutti coloro che, a partire dalle Forze Armate, si impegnano a proteggere la vita e la sicurezza dei cittadini italiani, in particolare da quanti, uomini e donne, sfoggiavano con fierezza le loro diverse uniformi.
Vorrei poi esprimere il mio sincero rispetto per l’impegno profuso da tutti i presenti nel contribuire alla stabilità dei vostri paesi e della comunità internazionale. Sono inoltre profondamente grata per il vostro costante sostegno e per la comprensione nei confronti delle Forze di Autodifesa giapponesi.
Allora, as you can see, my Italian still needs some training, or maybe even a bootcamp. In any combat, knowing one’s ability is quite important. I know my own, so please allow me to continue in English!
This year marks the 72nd anniversary since Japan’s Self-Defense Forces were established in 1954. Today, the global security environment is more complex than ever, with Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, rising instability in the Middle East, and a host of other challenges that continue to evolve at a rapid pace. Against this backdrop, the Japanese government firmly believes that no country can safeguard its own peace and security, or contribute to international stability, on its own. Japan thus places great importance on strengthening ties with like-minded nations such as Italy and is advancing multilateral and multi-layered defense cooperation and exchanges in pursuit of a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’.
Turning to Japan-Italy relations, this year marks the 160th anniversary of diplomatic ties between our two countries. I must say that it has already been quite a milestone year! In just six months, our two Prime Ministers have each visited the other's country. In January, Prime Minister Meloni travelled to Japan, where our bilateral relationship was redefined to a 'Special Strategic Partnership.' Last month, Prime Minister Takaichi came to Rome, and this momentum continued. The visit produced a Joint Statement on Space Cooperation, along with the signing of various cooperation documents between our governments, agencies, and companies.
In the field of defense and security, we are further deepening cooperation under the Japan-Italy Bilateral Cooperation Plan. Last year, the Ground, Maritime, and Air branches of our Self-Defense Forces each conducted bilateral joint exercises with their Italian counterparts. I have no doubt that this sent a powerful message of our commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. This year, we are also planning to expand cooperation into the areas of space, cyber, CBRN, education, and medical/health fields. Under our ‘Special Strategic Partnership,’ our defense relationship is clearly evolving into something broader and more substantive.
This everblooming relationship can be seen on so many levels. As we saw earlier, in order to promote the 160th years of our relations, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Central Band has come to Rome for cultural exchanges with the Italian Air Force Band. It moved me greatly to listen to their music, in particular performing our national anthems together.
Much like the musical collaboration we just witnessed, I hope this evening brings all of us closer together. Please enjoy the Japanese food, sake, music and company, and let us further strengthen the bonds of friendship and trust that unite us! Grazie mille.
To the enduring friendships and ever-deepening partnerships that bring us all together this afternoon, to the dedicated men and women in uniform from all of our nations, and to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous world for all — Un brindisi a tutti voi!
Kanpai! Salute!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Buonasera! Grazie mille per essere qui con noi oggi. È un grande piacere darvi il benvenuto in occasione del ricevimento per la giornata dedicata alle Forze di Autodifesa.
In occasione della recente Festa della Repubblica ho assistito per la prima volta alla parata e sono rimasta davvero colpita dall’orgoglio dimostrato da tutti coloro che, a partire dalle Forze Armate, si impegnano a proteggere la vita e la sicurezza dei cittadini italiani, in particolare da quanti, uomini e donne, sfoggiavano con fierezza le loro diverse uniformi.
Vorrei poi esprimere il mio sincero rispetto per l’impegno profuso da tutti i presenti nel contribuire alla stabilità dei vostri paesi e della comunità internazionale. Sono inoltre profondamente grata per il vostro costante sostegno e per la comprensione nei confronti delle Forze di Autodifesa giapponesi.
Allora, as you can see, my Italian still needs some training, or maybe even a bootcamp. In any combat, knowing one’s ability is quite important. I know my own, so please allow me to continue in English!
This year marks the 72nd anniversary since Japan’s Self-Defense Forces were established in 1954. Today, the global security environment is more complex than ever, with Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, rising instability in the Middle East, and a host of other challenges that continue to evolve at a rapid pace. Against this backdrop, the Japanese government firmly believes that no country can safeguard its own peace and security, or contribute to international stability, on its own. Japan thus places great importance on strengthening ties with like-minded nations such as Italy and is advancing multilateral and multi-layered defense cooperation and exchanges in pursuit of a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’.
Turning to Japan-Italy relations, this year marks the 160th anniversary of diplomatic ties between our two countries. I must say that it has already been quite a milestone year! In just six months, our two Prime Ministers have each visited the other's country. In January, Prime Minister Meloni travelled to Japan, where our bilateral relationship was redefined to a 'Special Strategic Partnership.' Last month, Prime Minister Takaichi came to Rome, and this momentum continued. The visit produced a Joint Statement on Space Cooperation, along with the signing of various cooperation documents between our governments, agencies, and companies.
In the field of defense and security, we are further deepening cooperation under the Japan-Italy Bilateral Cooperation Plan. Last year, the Ground, Maritime, and Air branches of our Self-Defense Forces each conducted bilateral joint exercises with their Italian counterparts. I have no doubt that this sent a powerful message of our commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. This year, we are also planning to expand cooperation into the areas of space, cyber, CBRN, education, and medical/health fields. Under our ‘Special Strategic Partnership,’ our defense relationship is clearly evolving into something broader and more substantive.
This everblooming relationship can be seen on so many levels. As we saw earlier, in order to promote the 160th years of our relations, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Central Band has come to Rome for cultural exchanges with the Italian Air Force Band. It moved me greatly to listen to their music, in particular performing our national anthems together.
Much like the musical collaboration we just witnessed, I hope this evening brings all of us closer together. Please enjoy the Japanese food, sake, music and company, and let us further strengthen the bonds of friendship and trust that unite us! Grazie mille.
To the enduring friendships and ever-deepening partnerships that bring us all together this afternoon, to the dedicated men and women in uniform from all of our nations, and to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous world for all — Un brindisi a tutti voi!
Kanpai! Salute!