On 25 November 2025, the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) hosted a visit by LTG Amio Sato, Commandant of the Joint Staff College (JSC), Japan. LTG Sato was accompanied by LTC Minako Iyono, First

Secretary/Defence Attaché of Japan to Estonia, and 14 JSC course participants.

The guests were welcomed by BG Alvydas Šiuparis, the Commandant of BALTDEFCOL, and COL Ivo Mūrmanis, the Course Director of the Joint Command and General Staff Course/Civil Servants’ Course.

The visit began with a BALTDEFCOL briefing providing an overview of the College’s mission, academic programmes, and strategic role in regional security. This was followed by an office call with BG Šiuparis aimed at opening new possibilities for cooperation and establishing a mutually beneficial relationship. Both Commandants signed a Letter of Intent between the two institutions, agreeing to further develop ongoing areas of cooperation in common fields of competence.

Following the meeting, JSC student COL Yayoi Arita (JPN AF) delivered a lecture titled “Japan's Security Environment” to the participants of the Joint Command and General Staff Course and the Civil Servants’ Course.

The visit concluded with a guided tour of the Estonian Military Academy’s museum, whose exposition focuses on the history of the Estonian Defence Forces and the Defence League during the periods of independence.