ISLAMABAD, July 2: The new Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, Seiji Kojima on Sunday said in view of vast potential and fast growing economy, more companies from Japan’s private sector would like to invest in this country.

“More investment means more exports to Japan. More Japanese business people need to know the economic stability of Pakistan so that they could have a trust that their investments will be secure,” he said in an interview with APP.

He was willing to play his role in wooing more Japanese companies, whose number at present is only 30, to Pakistan which he said, would help further strengthen trade relations between the two countries.

He was of the view that trade volume between Japan and Pakistan was far below the potential. He suggested that Pakistan should further strengthen its industrial base.

“Japan’s exports to Pakistan are worth $1.2 billion, while Pakistan’s exports to Japan are mere $160 million. The trade balance is in Japan’s favour. This trade gap needs to be balanced.”

“Pakistan has the economic potential and the right atmosphere for more Japanese investors to come here.”

He said his country would continue to support Pakistan government’s reforms in the field of economy, devolution of power and fight against terrorism.

Japanese government looks at these reforms positively as Pakistan has made considerable achievements in the area of economy, privatization and devolution of power at the grassroots level, he said.

Ambassador Kojima said Pakistan is an important country to Japan strategically, economically and politically and it (Japan) would continue to support Pakistan in its journey to progress.

Lauding Pakistan’s role in the war against terror, he said, “it is a very difficult job the country was doing to make the world a more safer place.” Japan lauds and supports Pakistan’s determination to establish peace in the world, he added.

“The international community should whole-heartedly back President General Pervez Musharraf in his fight against terrorism,” said Ambassador Kojima who, before his appointment in Islamabad, has also worked at Japanese embassy in New Delhi and Washington DC.

He said the relations between the two countries have seen surge in the recent past and mentioned the visits of President Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to Japan and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Islamabad last year.

“The momentum in the relations should be kept up by both the countries,” he said.

He recalled that since 60s Japan had extended large amount of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Pakistan and said it would continue its economic and technical cooperation through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and financial institutions.

In reply to a question on the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan, Ambassador Kojima said his government welcomes the confidence building measures adding the issue of Kashmir needs to be resolved through mutual understanding and consultation.

“Dialogue is the only way for peaceful solution to the core issue of Kashmir between Pakistan and India and Japan supports this initiative.”

“Pakistan is playing and should continue to play an important role for peace in South Asia as well as in the world,” he added, and commended Pakistan’s contribution to UN peace keeping force.— APP