Phnom Penh, 5 August 2022 (TDI): Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and Japan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Hayashi Yoshimasa, met on the sidelines of the 29th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting.
Foreign Minister @BBhuttoZardari met Foreign Minister of #Japan Hayashi Yoshimasa, on the sidelines of the 29 #ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting in Phnom Penh.
🇵🇰🤝🇯🇵 #PakFMAtARF pic.twitter.com/BSTrYIXmAb
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) August 4, 2022
The Ministers reviewed Pakistan-Japan bilateral ties that have grown in the past 70 years. Moreover, they agreed to strengthen bilateral relations further and enhance mutually beneficial trade and economic relations.
Furthermore, Both Foreign Ministers agreed on increasing Pakistan-Japan diplomatic ties through enhancing bilateral engagement and regular interactions and dialogue at all levels.
Additionally, they also agreed to remain in close contact regarding issues of mutual interest on regional and global levels.
Recent meetings between Pakistani and Japanese officials:
On 26 July, the Pakistani Foreign Minister met Wada Mitsuhiro, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan. They reiterated Pakistan and Japan’s commitment to support each other and promote further bilateral ties.
On 3 August, the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan met Honda Taro, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, they discussed the bilateral ties’ political, cultural, and economic aspects. Also, they held discussions on regional connectivity and agreed on strengthening trade and investment relations and people-to-people contacts.
On the same day, the Japanese Vice Foreign Minister also met Pakistan’s State Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar.
Pakistan and Japan Relations
Pak-Japan established diplomatic relations in 1952. They marked the 70th Anniversary of their relations earlier this year.
Both the states have signed several agreements/MOUs for strengthening their ties in the various sectors, including education, technical cooperation, commerce, etc.
During the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister to Pakistan in 2005, both states signed a Joint Declaration entitled “Pakistan-Japan at a new frontier; towards a renewed, enhanced and robust relationship.”
In 2011, they signed a joint statement on Pakistan-Japan Comprehensive Partnership. It was signed during the visit of Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari to Japan.
