Japan Acknowledges Pakistan’s Key Role in Regional Stability

Japan has recognized Pakistan as an essential player in maintaining regional stability, emphasizing the potential for greater bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors.

Professor Masayuki Masuda, Division Head at Japan’s National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS), highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to peace during an international seminar organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS). He stressed that both Japan and Pakistan, having endured significant economic and human losses due to conflicts, are well-positioned to collaborate on regional peace initiatives.

Prof. Masuda underscored Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” strategy, which aligns with Pakistan’s vision for connectivity and regional cooperation. He advocated for increased collaboration in telecom, artificial intelligence (AI), and climate change to foster mutual growth.

NIDS Senior Fellow Masahiro Kurita addressed concerns regarding Japan’s strategic partnerships, particularly within the QUAD framework, clarifying that its cooperation with India remains politically and economically focused, without posing a security challenge to Pakistan. He also acknowledged the significance of Pakistan’s diplomatic balance in strengthening international ties.

Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of IRS, reaffirmed that Pakistan-Japan relations contribute to stability amid intensifying global competition. He called for deeper political dialogue, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people engagement to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Farukh Amil, Chairman of the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) and former envoy to Japan, emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its development partnership with Japan. He highlighted Japan’s technological advancements and its critical role in Pakistan’s economic and security growth. He also lauded Japan’s unwavering humanitarian support during natural disasters, reinforcing the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations.