Japan’s investment in Pakistan crosses USD1.3bn mark: envoy

KARACHI: Japan’s investment in Pakistan has crossed USD 1.3 billion, the Japanese Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi said on Tuesday, highlighting over seven decades of diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations.

Speaking at the Annual Gala Dinner of the Pakistan-Japan Business Forum (PJBF) held at local hotel, the Ambassador said that ties between the two countries date back more than 70 years, beginning with the early cotton trade. Japanese investment, he said, now covers sectors including automobiles, energy, textiles, daily products and IT.

Former Chairman PJBF Kalim Farooqui was also present on this occasion.

Addressing the gathering, he praised the role of PJBF in promoting business linkages and serving as an economic bridge between the two countries for over two decades. He said the Forum is also a key stakeholder in the Japan-Pakistan Government Business Joint Dialogue, scheduled to take place in Tokyo from January 15–16 next year.

The Ambassador highlighted Japan’s participation in the Osaka Kansai Expo 2025, held from April 13 to October 13 this year, which attracted more than 29 million visitors. Pakistan’s pavilion, themed “A Universe in a Grain of Salt” and featuring pink salt, drew over 1.7 million visitors and enjoyed strong popularity.

During the Expo period, several high-level visits from Pakistan took place, including Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan in May, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in August, and Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Industry and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan in August.

The Ambassador said these interactions helped revive bilateral engagement.

He also mentioned the election of Her Excellency Sanae Takahashi as Japan’s new Prime Minister, the first woman to hold the office, and expressed hope that relations between Japan and Pakistan would continue to grow under her leadership.

Chairman PJBF Murtaza Mandviwalla said Pakistan and Japan is entering in a new phase of business development and engagement. On this respect, he added both countries are actively pursuing new business opportunities solidifying existing business.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025