Japan looks to strengthen economic, political ties

Ambassador says Japan seeking new investment avenues in Pakistan

Marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata said his country is committed to peace at all costs.

The ambassador was addressing a public gathering hosted by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on Tuesday. The talk is part of the newly introduced ‘Ambassador’s Platform’ series at ISSI, said a press release.

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Inomata said the Japanese nation had learnt many lessons, and would like to see a world without nuclear weapons and contribute more actively toward international peace. He called to memory the visit of then Crown Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko to Pakistan in 1962, as well as other high-level visits and exchanges between the two countries in recent times. The Japanese government is working to materialise an official visit by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Pakistan, shared the envoy, adding that the country is among the select few his nation shares a security dialogue with.

Inomata said both countries were important trading partners during the 1950s, when Japan exported textile machinery to Pakistan, and Pakistan exported raw cotton to Japan to help develop the nation’s textile industry. He also said a meeting of the Pakistan-Japan business forum will be held in November to explore new investment avenues between the countries, in light of the declining profitability of Japanese investments in the Pakistani textile sector.

ISSI Director-General former ambassador Masood Khan said Pakistan has always maintained a strong political understanding with Japan, along with economic and cultural ties.

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ISSI Chairman Ambassador (retd) Khalid Mahmood said Japan has an important role to play with its observer status at the Saarc platform, and should not discriminate against Pakistan in matters related to civilian nuclear cooperation.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2015.