KOROR, Palau General Ichikura Hiraoki, Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), visited Palau this week to promote deeper ties and offer condolences for wartime losses.
In an interview, Gen. Hiraoki highlighted two main purposes for the visit. First, he emphasized strengthening “human interactions” and “mutual understanding” between Japan and Palau. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Japan and Palau and the “tokubetz” relationship, and Gen. Hiraoki expressed a desire to build on that foundation.
Secondly, the General offered “sincere condolences” to those who lost their lives in the Pacific War. He acknowledged Palau’s role as a former battlefield and vowed to contribute to regional peace to prevent such tragedies from repeating.
Gen. Hiraoki underscored Palau’s importance as a partner in the pursuit of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP). He pointed to joint maritime security efforts and adherence to international norms as key aspects of this vision. Additionally, he mentioned Japan’s cooperation with the United States in countering illegal activities and their continued participation in Operation Christmas Drop, a humanitarian assistance mission.
Regarding the recent developments concerning the US military presence in Palau, Gen. Hiraoki acknowledged the US role in regional security matters. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation, including with the US Air Force and other Pacific Island nations, to maintain regional stability.
Looking towards the future, Gen. Hiraoki highlighted the geographical proximity and longstanding ties between Japan and Palau. He emphasized JASDF’s commitment to strengthening cooperation through continued participation in Operation Christmas Drop and disaster relief efforts. Recent familiarization visits by Japanese transport aircraft were cited as a positive step in this direction. Gen. Hiraoki expressed a desire to build on these exchanges and solidify the relationship between Palau and the JASDF.