On October 2–3 Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff of the Ministry of Defence of Japan General Hiroaki Uchikura is conducting a formal visit in Vilnius. He met with Chief of Defence General Raimundas Vaikšnoras in the first formal visit between the two countries of such level.
“It is an immense privilege to welcome you to Lithuania. Japan’s security cooperation is vital not just for the Indo-Pacific but the whole world,” said Chief of Defence General Raimundas Vaikšnoras.
Both countries reiterated the unwavering support to Ukraine at the meeting. The Lithuanian Chief of Defence thanked Japan for contributing to the Lithuanian-Icelandic co-led Capability Coalition for Demining and financial aid to Ukraine. Ukrainian EOD personnel are currently taught by Japanese instructors on the Lithuanian soil.
According to Chief of Defence, Russia remained a major and direct threat to Lithuania, the Baltic states and NATO. “The geographic distance no longer means isolation – Europe and the Indo-Pacific are bound together by common security challenges,” said General Raimundas Vaikšnoras.
Chief of Defence of Japan will visit the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area to learn about force hosting, assembly and onwards movement infrastructure capacity, engineering fortification parks and the Baltic Defence Line. While in Lithuania, the guest is also planned to visit the border area to see the countermobility means and advanced surveillance equipment.
Lithuania and Japan have assigned Memorandum of Defence Cooperation and Exchange in place. Both countries agree to continue expanding military cooperation, including posting officers to regional headquarters and participation in major exercises.
Japan’s historic decision to deploy military aircraft to Canada and Europe is a clear sign of solidarity with Europe and the West. The mission is built on a clear understanding that the European and Indo-Pacific security is tightly interconnected and sends a strong signal of Japan’s commitment to the joint response to developing threats.
Info and photo credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces
