HYDERABAD, Nov 3: Prof Dr Abul Kalam of the department of international relations, Dhaka University, Bangladesh, delivered a lecture on “Japan-South Asia Relations” at the University of Sindh on Monday.

Haniji Hanagata, consul-general of Japan in Karachi, was the chief guest on the occasion while Sindh University Vice-Chancellor Mazharul Haq Siddiqui presided over the function.

Prof Kalam said Japan’s extensive financial aid to South Asia was often tainted by its linkage to the use of Japanese goods and services.

He suggested that rather than aid, a progressive emphasis should be given to trade and Japan should help set up export-oriented industries, such as garments, leather and agro-based industries, in the region so that its products could find access to Japanese and other developed countries’s markets.

He also suggested that Japan should accelerate and enhance its cultural communication and interaction with South Asian countries by upgrading its embassy’s cultural section on the American Centre and the British Council model so as to avoid communication gap or cultural antagonism, and at the same time, accommodate the widening horizon of interest of the people of the region.

Prof Kalam said the people of Japan were very devoted and had always been working with their government for the betterment of the country and the nation. He said the people of Japan had played a vital role in the development their country.

In his remarks, Mr Hanagata said Pakistan very important to Japan and its people.

He said being dependent on oil Japan was importing it from Middle East countries.

The Sindh University international relations department had organized the programme.