According to the Japanese embassy, Wakabayashi’s visit was the first by a senior Defence Ministry official to Albania.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Japanese deputy minister conveyed his concern over the damage Albania sustained from the summer wildfires.

During the visit of Prime Minister Edi Rama to Japan in May 2026, the two sides exchanged views on further strengthening bilateral relations between Japan and Albania.

The meeting also addressed ways to step up cooperation between the respective defence authorities of the two countries.

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