I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude to the leadership and the people of Pakistan for their messages of felicitations and celebrations on the auspicious occasion of the eighty-second birthday of His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan. His Majesty Emperor Akihito was born in Tokyo on 23rd December, 1933 as the first son of the late Emperor Hirohito (Showa).
Since his accession to the throne as the 125th Emperor in January 1989, His Majesty Emperor Akihito has been working as the symbol of Japan, for peace and stability of the country and for further strengthening friendship with foreign countries. Japan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have enjoyed very close and cordial relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1952. It should be noted that in 1962, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visited Pakistan as then Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess.
There have been many high level exchanges between the two countries. This year, in January, the Finance Minister, Senator Dar together with BOI Chairman, Mr. Ismail; in February, two Pakistani Parliamentarian groups; in March, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on foreign affairs, Ambassador Fatemi and Foreign Secretary, Ambassador Chaudhry visited Japan. From Japan, the Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nakane in March; in October, the member of Diet Task Force on the eradication of Polio; and in November, the Parliamentary Vice Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. Kitamura, came to Pakistan.
Last month, we held the 5th Pakistan-Japan Government Business Joint Dialogue in Islamabad, for the first time in almost nine years, where the Pakistani side and the Japanese side exchanged their views on a wide range of issues concerning economic relationship between the two countries including trade and investment issues. While Japan and Pakistan acknowledge the potential to increase the volume of bilateral trade and investment exponentially in light of the traditionally friendly relations and the size of both economies, I believe that the actual figures have not been commensurate with the size of our economies and that full potential is yet to be achieved.
Both sides are willing to promote future cooperation in exploring a new frontier of Pakistan-Japan economic relationship, expanding investment in Pakistan, promoting industrial cooperation, and advancing industrial technology cooperation.
Last year marked the 60th Anniversary of Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Pakistan. Japan has been supporting Pakistan's economic and social development for many years. Japan has been one of the leading donors in this country for most of the time and has been helping Pakistan to improve infrastructure, to develop human resources and to provide better education and health services. One of the features of Japan's ODA is that Japan extends not only grant and soft loans but implements various technical cooperation programmes. To facilitate capacity development of Pakistani people, JICA has received more than 5,000 Pakistani trainees in Japan during the last 6 decades. Japan has been especially a strong partner with Pakistan at a time of difficulties when Pakistan was hit by several natural disasters, such as the huge earthquake in 2005 or floods in 2010 and subsequent years in providing emergency assistance and supporting rehabilitation and reconstruction. Japan will continue to be with Pakistan so that Pakistan will achieve strong economic growth and build a stable and sustainable society.
I am very happy to note that the current relationship has been strengthened with the passage of time, becoming increasingly multifaceted. Japan and Pakistan share a similarity in valuing their own traditional culture. The most difficult task for any country lies in modernizing its political, economic and social institutions without losing its traditional values. As I found through my experience that we stand very close to each other, I strongly believe that there are numerous fields in which we can work together in the future. I would definitely be happy to see both our countries and our peoples working together towards promoting democracy, economy, culture, education, and so on.
On this occasion, I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes to all the Pakistani people, who are so hospitable to us and are working hard to overcome difficulties and bring the country forward, and also to all the Japanese nationals who are working with Pakistani people to achieve the common goals.
Thank you for your friendship.
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