ISLAMABAD: The government of Japan has awarded 11 outstanding Pakistani students the esteemed Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Mext) research scholarships for the 2026 academic year.

Numerous Pakistani students also secure Mext scholarships annually through direct applications to Japanese universities. These scholarships will enable the students to pursue master and doctoral degrees at leading Japanese universities, fostering academic excellence and strengthening bilateral ties.

Ambassador of Japan in Islamabad Akamatsu Shuichi hosted a reception at his official residence to honour the members of the Mext Alumni Association of Pakistan and send off the fresh scholarship grantees.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Akamatsu congratulated the scholarship recipients on their outstanding accomplishments and offered best wishes for their studies at Japan’s top institutions.

He said Japan greatly valued education and human resource development and had welcomed many talented Pakistani students over the decades through the Mext scholarship programme.

“As you prepare to leave for Japan, I encourage you to be curious, open-minded and courageous. Learn not only from your professors and research, but also from everyday life,” the ambassador added.

Turning to Japan-Pakistan relations, the ambassador stated that meaningful exchanges were realised through the Osaka-Kansai Expo held in Japan last year where Pakistan Pavilion attracted great attention and helped foster a stronger sense of closeness toward Pakistan among many young Japanese people.

The visits of several Pakistani leaders during the expo revitalised bilateral relations.

Spotlighting the three primary pillars shaping the future of Japan-Pakistan relations, the ambassador outlined his key priorities that included expanding and deepening mutual understanding and cooperation through people-to-people exchanges, strengthening economic ties and promoting Japanese cuisine.

In relation to expanding and deepening mutual understanding and cooperation through people-to-people exchanges, Ambassador Akamatsu noted that one of the things that had impressed him the most since he arrived in Pakistan was the trust and affection that the people of Pakistan have for Japan.

This was the result of various factors such as 74 years of diplomatic relations, Japan’s support through ODA, the presence of Japanese companies and the trust in Japanese products.

The ambassador also mentioned that Pakistani youth were taking immense interest in Japan, adding that the number of young Pakistanis studying Japanese language had been increasing sharply their immense interest in pursuing higher education in Japan.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2026