TAXILA: The newly appointed Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Shinozaki Yusuke, has reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to further broaden and strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in the social sector, cultural preservation, education, disaster resilience, and community development projects.

Talking to newsmen during his visit to the Taxila Museum, the JICA chief said Pakistan and Japan enjoy long-standing friendly relations rooted in mutual respect, cultural harmony, and shared historical links through the Gandhara civilisation and Buddhist heritage.

He said JICA would continue to support Pakistan in various sectors, particularly education, heritage conservation, human resource development, infrastructure improvement, and climate resilience initiatives.

Responding to a question, Shinozaki Yusuke termed Taxila a globally significant centre of Gandhara civilisation and a symbol of centuries-old cultural and spiritual connections between Pakistan and Japan.

He observed that the ancient Buddhist heritage preserved in Taxila carries immense importance for the Japanese people, as Buddhism remains deeply embedded in Japan’s cultural and religious traditions.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2026