Islamabad, 26 July 2022 (TDI): Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto met with the Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, Wada Mitsuhiro, at Foreign Office Islamabad.
Both officials reiterated the mutual commitment to promote the ties between the two countries further. The Japanese Ambassador agreed to enhance engagement and dialogue at all levels.
FM @BBhuttoZardari received #Japan’s Ambassador Wada Mitsuhiro at @ForeignOfficePk today.
➖Reiterated mutual commitment to further strengthen Pakistan-Japan ties and enhance engagement and dialogue at all levels.
🇵🇰🤝🇯🇵 #PakJapanAt70 pic.twitter.com/Crsc971EGl
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) July 25, 2022
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister also recently met with Ambassadors of the European Union and Turkmenistan. He discussed developments in Pakistan’s relations with the EU and Turkmenistan.
Pak-Japan Bilateral ties
Pakistan and Japan have enjoyed cordial and friendly relations since the creation of Pakistan in 1947. Diplomatic relations started on 28 April 1952, and Pakitan opened its embassy in Tokyo.
Pakistan was one of the few countries that opened their commercial office in Japan. Similarly, Japan opened one of its earliest trade offices in Karachi.
Both countries have made many agreements and paid many high-level visits. During the visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to Japan on 21-23 February 2011, the two sides signed the Joint Statement on Japan-Pakistan Comprehensive Partnership.
Pakistan and Japan work on many joint institutional mechanisms. It includes Annual Bilateral Political Consultations at the Foreign Secretary level and Security Dialogue (including Defense and Foreign Ministries).
It adds an Expert-level Working Group on Disarmament, Non-Proliferation, and Counter-Terrorism Cooperation. Moreover, it includes official-level discussions on Export Controls and high-level Economic Policy Dialogue.
This year Pakistan and Japan celebrated the 70th anniversary of their bilateral ties. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has expressed the resolve to further increase bilateral relations in the days ahead.
He conveyed his special gratitude for Pakistan’s extended generous support to Japan during the regime change in Afghanistan. Pakistan facilitated the safe departure of Japanese nationals and Afghan staff working in the Japanese Embassy and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) office from Afghanistan.
He said Pakistan was one of the most important countries not only for the stability of the region but also for international counter-terrorism efforts.
Prime Minister Kishida said that he wished to elevate bilateral relations to new heights and was determined to work with Pakistan even more closely.
