'Female leadership of Pakistan, Japan to forge ties'

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the first woman Deputy Governor of Tokyo, Matsumoto Akiko, have agreed to promote mutual ties between the female leadership of Pakistan and Japan.

The two leaders emphasised during their meeting in Tokyo that the leadership role of women is a common feature for Pakistan and Japan.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz congratulated Matsumoto Akiko on becoming the first female Deputy Governor of Tokyo and commended her role in public service for the last 35 years in the Japanese government.

According to an official statement, the leaders agreed to promote relations between Pakistan and Japan.

Matters pertaining to promoting cooperation between Punjab and Japan along with launching joint ventures in various sectors were discussed.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz underscored, "We want to benefit from Japan's experience and technology in the fields of infrastructure, urban development, renewable energy and clean water projects."

The development of a clean Punjab on the model of Tokyo's 'Clean Authority' also came under discussion.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz apprised the deputy governor of the projects launched by the Punjab government relating to comfortable travel facilities as well as plans to make the province clean and green.

She said revolutionary projects had been launched to empower women in the province.

She termed Japan a wonderful amalgamation of sterling progress and values as a role model for the rest of the world.

During a visit to the headquarters and plant of world-renowned Japanese dairy products company Morinaga, the chief minister invited the firm that has been operating for the past 100 years to invest in the dairy sector in Punjab. She said on the occasion, "Morinaga International has been offered projects for local production of baby food, bakery products and export-quality meat."

She agreed to use modern Japanese machinery and methods in the animal sector, especially for the breeding of healthy animals to obtain quality meat.