ISLAMABAD: The Japanese government has decided to offer 70 training programmes, which are held in Japan or implemented online for Pakistani nationals every year.

The programmes widely cover various sectors from social needs such as education, health, water resources, environment and human development, to industrial needs such as agriculture, energy, transportation and ICT. Governance, disaster risk reduction and gender are also covered.

A press release of the Japanese embassy said on Wednesday that the number and condition of participants and terms are set according to the target of each course.

The programmes for Pakistan have been implemented in 1957 and since then approximately 6,000 Pakistani people participated in the programmes.

The programmes are implemented by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) thanks to the support by Japanese ministries, municipalities, universities and relevant organizations.

Under the restriction on overseas travelers due to the Covid-19 pandemic, JICA is utilising alternative methods such as online communications so that opportunities to participate in the training were not lost.

Citing his optimism on the training programmes in Japan, Ambassador Matsuda Kuninori stated that these exceptionally wide variety training programmes can be achieved as a result of a long succession of more than 60 years track record.

“I would like all participants to make maximum use of this opportunity, even in challenging times”, said the Ambassador Matsuda.

The ambassador expressed the hope that the participants who will broaden their knowledge in Japan could contribute towards the bright future of Pakistan and further strengthening of Japan-Pakistan relations.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2021