HYDERABAD, March 30: The Consul General of Japan, Karachi, Kauji Hanagata, has said Pakistan and Japan enjoy friendly relations.

He was delivering a lecture on “Pakistan-Japan relations in the context of peace and security in South Asia”, organized by the department of international relations, Sindh University, Jamshoro, on Friday.

He said the influence of Pakistan as a moderate Islamic nation in the present world scenario was of vital importance.

He said not only Pakistan but the entire South Asia was strategically important to his country as oil supplies were made to Japan through this region.

Mr Hanagata said Japan was keen to take initiatives to strengthen ties with the countries of the region.

He said Japan had provided $300 million aid to Pakistan over a period of two years.

About the Kashmir dispute, he stressed the need for resolving the issue through negotiations.

The Consul General also visited the museum and different galleries of the Institute of Sindhology.