site.btaPresident Welcomes Japanese Vice-Minister of Defence amid Stronger Bilateral Cooperation

Japan is a priority partner and friend of Bulgaria in East Asia, President Rumen Radev stated during his meeting with Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defence Yozo Kaneko in Sofia on Wednesday, the President’s press secretariat reported. The meeting was also attended by Japanese Ambassador to Bulgaria Hisashi Michigami.

Radev highlighted the long-standing friendship between the two countries, built on mutual respect and reinforced by a high level of trust in bilateral political dialogue.

Both sides agreed that the Declaration on Upgrading Bulgaria-Japan Relations to a Strategic Partnership, signed in Tokyo in May by President Radev and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, opens numerous opportunities for deepening cooperation, including in the areas of defence and security.

Key areas of potential collaboration in defence and security were identified as military training and education, crisis management, the exchange of expertise in responding to natural disasters and emergencies, cybersecurity, and cooperation in developing and applying advanced defence technologies. The President also recalled that Sofia hosts NATO’s Centre of Excellence for Crisis Management and Disaster Response, which presents further opportunities for knowledge exchange and joint training.

Kaneko noted that a cadet from Bulgaria’s Naval Academy in Varna is expected to be invited to attend a training course in Japan. He also recalled that President Radev was the first foreign head of state to visit the Hyakuri Air Base during his official visit to Japan in May this year.

The talks also addressed the deteriorating global security environment, with both parties agreeing that this necessitates a further strengthening of defence and security cooperation.

President Radev congratulated the Japanese delegation on Japan’s successful hosting of the ongoing Expo 2025 in Osaka. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity for Bulgaria to showcase its achievements in high technology and artificial intelligence at the world exhibition.

Bulgaria and Japan are united by shared democratic values, a commitment to peace, and respect for a rules-based international order, stated Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov during his own meeting with Mr Kaneko.