ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its ties with Japan and expanding cooperation in multiple sectors for the benefit of both the nations.

He made these remarks at a meeting with Akamatsu Shuichi, the ambassador of Japan. Mr Gilani emphasised the need to strengthen economic ties and address the trade imbalance between Pakistan and Japan. He noted that the current bilateral trade remained below its true potential and called for joint efforts to unlock economic opportunities.

He stressed on the importance of high-level visits and parliamentary exchanges to further cement bilateral relations. He extended an invitation to his Japanese counterpart to visit Pakistan and said the last high-level visit from Pakistan to Japan was in 2019 when the then President Arif Alvi had attended the enthronement ceremony of Japan’s new emperor.

He reiterated the need for more leadership-level interactions to set a strategic direction for bilateral ties.

He also highlighted the role of the Parliamentary Friendship Group in Pakistan’s parliament as a key mechanism for enhancing collaboration.

Mr Gilani commended Japan’s special assistance package in response to Pakistan’s devastating 2022 floods and acknowledged Tokyo’s contributions to educational scholarships and capacity-building programmes for Pakistan’s civil service officers.

He emphasised the need for regular engagement through institutional mechanisms to consolidate and expand cooperation across various sectors. He urged Japan to revisit its security-related travel advisory for Pakistan which he said would help boost investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Mr Gilani underscored the resilience of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Japan, established in 1952, and noted that both nations shared common views on global peace and stability. He stressed the importance of continued collaboration to foster sustainable regional peace.

The Senate chairman acknowledged Japan’s invaluable support through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which has contributed to Pakistan’s health, education, gender equality, and disaster management sectors.

He proposed leveraging Pakistan’s young workforce to address labour shortages in Japan, particularly in healthcare, construction and transportation.

He called for targeted training programs in Pakistan that align with Japan’s labor market needs.

He further emphasized the need to expand vocational education initiatives, particularly in South Punjab, to enhance the employability of Pakistani youth and prepare them for global economic opportunities.

The Senate also invited the ambassador of Japan to visit Multan, highlighting the city’s rich cultural heritage and its economic potential.

He noted that the Multan Chamber of Commerce is actively promoting business opportunities and encouraged Japanese investors to explore potential collaborations.

In response, Ambassador Shuichi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to deepening economic cooperation with Pakistan and exploring new avenues for collaboration.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2025