Emperor’s birthday: Envoy highlights Japan’s assistance

Stalls symbolised significance of Japanese investment.

ISLAMABAD: To speak about Japan is easy, because Japan is in every home, said SAFRON Minister Abdul Qadir Baloch, summing up how familiar the world is with Japanese consumer goods.

He was speaking at a reception hosted by the Embassy of Japan on Thursday in honour of the upcoming birthday of Emperor Akihito of Japan, who turns 82 on December 23.

The large event saw the attendance of ambassadors and officials from various embassies, politicians and military officials, businesspersons, and Japanese expats.

The level of investment and their significance were clearly visible upon entering the halls, as a number of stalls had been set up by Japanese businesses operating in the country, including Toyota, Suzuki, Honda, Hinopak, Mitsubishi, NEC, Kansai and NIPRO. Japanese automobile manufacturers alone account for the majority of Pakistani’s entire car, truck and motorcycle market.

There were also stalls set up by Japanese aid and assistance agencies such as Japan International Cooperation Agency and Association for Aid and Relief, which have a long history of stepping up to help Pakistan in every hour of need.

Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata started off by explaining the significance of the emperor’s birthday, and noting the active exchanges this year at government, military, and societal levels with Pakistan, including the parliamentary friendship groups and literary exchanges.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2015.