President reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to deepen longstanding partnership with Japan

2026-02-10 - 22:16

Ambassador Akamatsu expresses Japan’s desire to work closely with Pakistan on global, regional challenges President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further deepening its long-standing partnership with Japan, describing the bilateral relationship as one rooted in decades of trust, mutual respect, and consistent cooperation. He was speaking at a reception hosted in Islamabad to mark the 66th birthday of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito of Japan. At the outset of the ceremony, President Zardari requested the participants to observe a one-minute silence in memory of the victims of the recent blast in Tarlai, Islamabad, and expressed heartfelt solidarity with the bereaved families. He also conveyed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of terrorism and reiterated the nation’s resolve to stand united against such acts. Highlighting the enduring friendship between the two countries, President Zardari said Pakistan placed great importance on its relationship with Japan, which had grown steadily over many decades of diplomatic engagement. “Japan has stood with Pakistan in difficult times,” he remarked, recalling Japan’s compassionate and practical support during climate-related disasters. Beyond emergency assistance, he added, Japan’s sustained engagement in development cooperation and disaster-risk preparedness had been deeply valued across Pakistan. The president praised Japan for its technological achievements and rich cultural heritage, noting that the Japanese people were widely admired for their discipline, dignity, and respect for tradition, while steadily embracing innovation and progress. “These qualities are well understood and appreciated in Pakistan,” he said, adding that Pakistan looked to Japan as a model of technological excellence and institutional strength. Extending warm greetings, the president 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. He also congratulated Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her landslide electoral victory, recalling with pride that his late wife, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, was the first female prime minister of the Muslim world. Earlier, welcoming the guests, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Akamatsu Shuichi, expressed his appreciation for celebrating the occasion in Islamabad alongside President Zardari and distinguished participants. He highlighted recent political developments in Japan, including the successful general election for the House of Representatives and the strong mandate received by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister. Ambassador Akamatsu reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to the rule of law, multilateralism, and a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. He emphasized Pakistan’s important role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and expressed Japan’s desire to work closely with Pakistan on global and regional challenges. On bilateral cooperation, the ambassador noted the success of the Pakistan Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, which won two awards and helped foster a sense of closeness toward Pakistan among Japanese visitors.