ISLAMABAD: 10 Feb 2026 – President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties in the fields of development, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
“Pakistan and Japan enjoy a relationship rooted in decades of trust, mutual respect, and consistent cooperation”, President Zardari said while speaking at a reception marking the 66th birthday of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito of Japan.
He highlighted Japan’s enduring support for Pakistan and its vital role in the country’s development journey.
At the outset of the event, President Zardari requested the participants to observe one minute of silence in memory of the victims of the recent blast in Tarlai, Islamabad, and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families.
“Japan is widely admired across the world for its technological achievements and its rich cultural heritage,” the president said adding “The Japanese people place great importance on discipline and dignity. They value family and community, and they honour tradition while steadily embracing progress and innovation. These qualities are well understood and appreciated in Pakistan.”
He emphasized that Pakistan placed great importance on its relationship with Japan, describing it as a partnership that had grown steadily over many decades of diplomatic ties.
“Japan has stood with Pakistan in difficult times,” he said, recalling Japan’s compassionate and practical support during climate-related disasters.
He said beyond immediate assistance, Japan’s continued engagement in development cooperation and disaster-risk preparedness had been deeply valued and widely felt. “For this, we are sincerely grateful”, he added.
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President Zardari said Pakistan looked to Japan as a model of technological excellence and innovation, and seeks to learn from its experience to build skills, strengthen institutions, and prepare its youth for the future.
As regards economic cooperation, he noted that more than 80 Japanese companies were currently operating in Pakistan, contributing to economic growth, creating employment, and sharing valuable expertise, which reflected Japan’s confidence in Pakistan’s potential.
Referring to Pakistan’s strategic geographic location at the crossroads of Asia, the president said the country connects trade routes, energy corridors, and regional markets, offering significant opportunities along with shared responsibilities.
In this context, he appreciated Japan’s longstanding contribution to Pakistan’s development, particularly through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which he described as a respected symbol of sustainable and people-centred progress.
“Pakistan and Japan share a belief in strong families, social harmony, and respect for human dignity. These shared principles give our partnership depth and resilience,” the president said, adding that he was confident bilateral relations would continue to grow stronger with purpose, clarity, and shared ambition.
Extending warm greetings, he conveyed his best wishes to His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress, and wished the people of Japan peace, progress, and continued prosperity.
The president also congratulated Sanae Takaichi on her landslide victory in elections and recalled Pakistan’s pride in his late wife, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, for being the first female Prime Minister of the Muslim World.
Welcoming the guests , Ambassador AKAMATSU, expressed his sincere appreciation for being able to celebrate this occasion in Islamabad, together with President H.E. Mr. Zardari and distinguished guests.
The Ambassador highlighted recent political developments in Japan, noting the successful general election for the House of Representatives and the strong mandate received by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party under the leadership of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female Prime Minister.
He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to rule of law, multilateralism, and a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). Furthermore, he emphasized Pakistan’s important role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and expressed Japan’s desire to work closely with Pakistan on global and regional challenges.
On bilateral relations, Ambassador AKAMATSU noted the success of the Pakistan Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 for winning two awards, the Bronze Prize in the Exhibition category and the Editors’ Choice Award and for sparking interest a sense of closeness toward Pakistan among many Japanese people.
The Expo also marked the revival of high-level exchanges between the two countries with official visits to Japan by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the Prime Minister’s Special Advisor on Industry and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan.
Looking ahead, Ambassador AKAMATSU presented three key areas for strengthening bilateral relations in the coming year:
1) Expanding and deepening mutual understanding and cooperation through people-to-people exchange between our two countries such as Asian Games and Asian Para Games to be held in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan in the fall this year
2) Economic cooperation, including plans to resume yen loan projects under the Official Development Assistance (ODA), expanding technical and talent cooperation in Pakistan’s growing IT industry
3) Promotion of Japanese cuisine, highlighting its contribution to Japanese people’s longevity and introducing well-known examples such as sushi and tempura but also wagyu beef
Ambassador AKAMATSU also expressed his condolences to the victims of the recent terrorist attack at a mosque in Islamabad and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured. He reiterated that the Government of Japan strongly condemns any acts of terrorism and reaffirmed our solidarity with the government and people of Pakistan.
Ambassador AKAMATSU concluded his remarks by wishing that people-to-people exchanges between Japan and Pakistan will become even more active and a cooperative relationship befitting the demands of this new era would be built.
The reception featured specially prepared Japanese wagyu beef. It also included exhibitions of Japanese traditional arts, Ikebana and Bonsai, prepared by Lahore Sogetsu Study Group and Lahore Bonsai Society, and the displays by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japanese companies such as Toyota Indus Motors, Suzuki, Honda, Hino, Idemitsu, Sojitz, and Kumon.
