Japan looks forward to skilled Pakistani workforce

Envoy hosts reception to mark the Japanese emperor’s birthday

With Japan and Pakistan embarking on a new segment of cooperation in its nearly 70-year-long relation, the Land of the Rising Sun is hoping it can get skilled workforce from a long-standing friend.

This was suggested by the Japanese Ambassador Kuninori Matsuda during a reception held to celebrate the upcoming birthday of Japanese Emperor Naruhito. Naruhito had ascended to the throne last year after his father, Akihito abdicated and is due to turn 60 on February 23.

At a reception in Islamabad, Japanese Ambassador Matsuda welcomed guests to the celebration in clear Urdu.

He continued that this was a special occasion, not only that it marked the Japanese emperor’s birthday, but that it was the first such celebration under the new emperor and the start of a new era in Japan called “Reiwa” (beautiful harmony).

Matsuda recalled the agreement signed between Tokyo and Islamabad on securing skilled resource from the latter to work in the former country.

“I feel confident that in light of its potential, Pakistan could be among the top countries to send skilled workforce to Japan,” the Japanese envoy said, adding that this agreement had opened a new vista in the relationship between the two countries, that in the realm of human resources.

He continued that bilateral ties between the two countries have been forged on the back of strong economic and development ties and that he wished to further strengthen the relationship.

“Economic cooperation between Japan and Pakistan has always been the hallmark of decades-old Japan-Pakistan friendly relations,” he said.

On the development side, Matsuda announced that a new highway — N-70 — has just been completed in January with cooperation from the Japanese construction company, Taisei Corporation.

“Before this road was built, people had to use a very narrow and dangerous road with sharp curves and steep slopes. This road improvement project using Japanese technology realizes a lot smoother traffic flow and safe and efficient transportation of heavy vehicles,” he said, adding that Japan has long supported endeavours to improve the transportation system. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2020.