President Highlights Enduring Pakistan-Japan Partnership at Emperor’s Birthday Event
President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding partnership with Japan, particularly in the areas of development, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
Speaking at a reception in Islamabad to mark the 66th birthday of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito of Japan, the president said that Pakistan and Japan shared a relationship built on decades of trust, mutual respect, and consistent cooperation. He underlined Japan’s enduring support for Pakistan and its significant contribution to the country’s development journey.
At the outset of the ceremony, President Zardari requested participants to observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the recent blast in Tarlai, Islamabad, and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families.
Highlighting Japan’s global standing, the president said the country was widely admired for its technological achievements and rich cultural heritage. He noted that Japanese society placed strong emphasis on discipline, dignity, family values, and community life, while honouring tradition alongside steady progress and innovation, qualities he said were well understood and appreciated in Pakistan.
President Zardari emphasized that Pakistan attached great importance to its relationship with Japan, describing it as a partnership that had evolved steadily over many decades of diplomatic engagement. Recalling Japan’s support during difficult times, he said Japan had stood with Pakistan during climate-related disasters through compassionate and practical assistance.
He added that beyond immediate relief, Japan’s continued engagement in development cooperation and disaster-risk preparedness had been deeply valued across Pakistan, expressing gratitude for this sustained support.
Referring to future-oriented cooperation, the president said Pakistan looked to Japan as a model of technological excellence and innovation, and sought to learn from its experience to develop skills, strengthen institutions, and better prepare the country’s youth for emerging challenges.
On economic ties, President Zardari noted that more than 80 Japanese companies were currently operating in Pakistan, contributing to economic growth, generating employment, and sharing valuable expertise, reflecting Japan’s confidence in Pakistan’s economic potential.
Highlighting Pakistan’s strategic geographic location at the crossroads of Asia, he said the country linked trade routes, energy corridors, and regional markets, offering significant opportunities alongside 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.
The president said Pakistan and Japan shared core values, including strong families, social harmony, and respect for human dignity, adding that these shared principles gave the bilateral partnership depth and resilience. He expressed confidence that relations between the two countries would continue to grow stronger with clarity, purpose, and shared ambition.
Extending warm greetings, President Zardari 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 Sanae Takaichi on her landslide electoral victory and recalled Pakistan’s pride in his late wife, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, for being the first female prime minister of the Muslim world.
#Pakistan #Japan #BilateralRelations #Diplomacy #Development #Technology #JICA #PeopleToPeople #diplomatsWorld
