- At Media Reception, H.E. Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi Celebrates 74-Year Diplomatic Milestone, Prioritizes Youth Exchange, Technology Collaboration, and Culinary Diplomacy for Future Growth.
Islamabad – H.E. Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, articulated a forward-looking vision for bilateral relations, anchored in deepening people-to-people connections, during a Media Networking Get-Together at his residence on Friday, February 6.
The event commemorated the 74th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan. Ambassador Akamatsu, reflecting on his extensive travels across Pakistan since his arrival in November 2024, praised the nation’s profound cultural heritage and the warmth of its people.
A Foundation of Trust and Affection
The Ambassador identified the deep-seated trust and affection for Japan among Pakistanis as a cornerstone of the relationship. “This is the result of various factors such as 74 years of diplomatic relations, Japan’s support through Official Development Assistance (ODA), the presence of Japanese companies, and the trust in Japanese products,” he stated.
Three-Pillar Strategy for Future Cooperation
Outlining his strategic priorities for 2026 and beyond, Ambassador Akamatsu presented a three-pillar framework:
- Expanding Human Exchange: Highlighting a surge in interest among Pakistani youth, he noted over 1,000 candidates recently sat for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
- Strengthening Economic Ties: He pointed to significant potential for synergy, particularly in AI and IT, leveraging Pakistan’s rapidly growing tech sector. Nearly 80 Japanese companies currently operate in Pakistan, employing over 100,000 people.
- Promoting Japanese Cuisine: Framing food as cultural diplomacy, he highlighted its role in fostering mutual understanding and friendship.
Concrete Steps for Economic Partnership
Following recent successful engagements, including an AI seminar with NUST and the 8th Japan-Pakistan Government-Business Joint Dialogue in Tokyo, the Ambassador announced an upcoming Japan-Pakistan Business Seminar on February 10 to address concerns of the local business community.
Building on Expo Success and Looking Ahead
The Ambassador celebrated the Pakistan Pavilion’s success at the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, which won the Bronze Award for Exhibition Design and attracted 1.8 million visitors. He extended an invitation for Pakistani engagement in the 20th Asian Games and 5th Asian Para Games in Nagoya in 2026.
NUST Chairman Lauds Japanese Values, Highlights Collaboration
Echoing the theme of partnership, Prof. Dr. Yasar Ayaz, Chairman of the National Center for Artificial Intelligence (NCAI), commended Japan’s enduring legacy of quality and trust. A MEXT scholarship alumnus, Dr. Ayaz detailed impactful collaborations with Japanese institutions, including a Frailty Assessment System with Juntendo University and the innovative Sakura Wheelchair Project with Saito Kobo. He credited Japanese scholarships for enabling Pakistani students to contribute to a knowledge-based economy.
The event underscored a shared commitment to transforming the longstanding Japan-Pakistan friendship into a dynamic, multi-faceted partnership geared for the future.
BY: The Times Union
