At the event, Ambassador Masaru Igawahara emphasized that in recent years, cooperation between Japan and Mongolia in the field of defense has significantly expanded due to the strong trust and joint work of the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Armed Forces of Mongolia, which are united by common values. This was reported by MiddleAsianNews.
The reception was attended by high-profile guests, including members of parliament and the cabinet of ministers, among them Defense Minister Batlut Damba and Lieutenant General Ganbyaamba Sunrev, as well as Mongolian military personnel who trained in the educational institutions of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, foreign diplomats, and other officials.
According to the Japanese embassy, "we hope that cooperation in the field of defense and interaction between Japan and Mongolia will continue to develop, contributing to peace and stability in both countries, the region, and globally."
The Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Armed Forces of Mongolia operate within the framework of a "Special Strategic Partnership," aimed at developing peacekeeping capabilities, providing humanitarian assistance, and maintaining regional stability. They have been jointly participating in exercises since 2010, such as "Khaan Quest" and "Road," focusing on engineering work, convoy protection, and the transfer of defense technologies.
In 2024, Japan and Mongolia signed an agreement on the transfer of defense equipment and technologies.
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force provides training for Mongolian engineers, particularly for participation in UN peacekeeping operations.
In 2022, the partnership status was elevated to "Special Strategic Partnership for Peace and Security," highlighting a deep commitment to ensuring stability in the region.
This partnership emphasizes the development of engineering capacity, while providing Mongolia with access to modern technologies and training to support international peacekeeping operations.
Recently, relations between the two countries have been actively developing, leading to concrete results and strengthening mutual understanding, trustful dialogue, and cooperation on regional security and strategic planning. Recently, the Japan Self-Defense Forces played an important role in international exercises held in Mongolia.
The Japanese government and the Ministry of Defense of Mongolia are working on the implementation of the "Capacity Building Program" in two directions, aimed at training and practicing Mongolian military personnel for participation in UN peacekeeping operations.
The program includes: 1. Joint training of doctors and specialists from the Military Hospital of Mongolia with the Central Hospital of the OECD and the Japan School of Health as part of the "Chadwick Improvement Program" for providing medical assistance during natural disasters.
2. The "Strengthening the Engineering Capacity of the Armed Forces of Mongolia" program, developed by the Japanese BHU University, aims to train qualified engineers and specialists in road construction, teacher training, and experience exchange. Since 2014, 12 courses have been conducted, including assessments of the personnel of the Mongolian armed forces, as well as the construction of roads, dams, and bridges, and land assessment.
