TOKYO: Japanese Emperor Akihito has praised Pakistan’s role in the war on terror and acknowledged the sacrifices rendered by its security forces and people.

Talking to President Asif Ali Zardari here on Wednesday, he said Japan accorded great importance to its ties with Pakistan.

The emperor came out of his palace to receive President Zardari.

The president lauded Japan’s role in Pakistan’s development and its investment in various sectors and said his visit would boost bilateral ties.

This was President Zardari’s second meeting with the emperor. They had met in April 2009, when the president visited Japan to lead Pakistan’s delegation at a meeting of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan.

Emperor Akihito said he fondly remembered his visit to Pakistan in early 1960s as crown prince.

The president felicitated Crown Prince Naruhito on his birthday and invited him to visit Pakistan.

MOTORBIKE PLANT: Yamaha Motors, Pakistan, will spend $150 million on setting up a plant on 50 acres in Bin Qasim area near Karachi.

President Zardari was informed by Yamaha Motors chief Hiroyuki Yanagi at a meeting that the company would bring advanced technology to Pakistan and about 45,000 people would get jobs in the project.

The president said Pakistan welcomed Japanese investment in various sectors and would provide adequate facilities and security to foreign investors.

Talking to the chief of the Mitsubishi Corporation, Mr Kenkasa Yashi, President Zardari said investments in Pakistan had been given comprehensive legal protection with an attractive package of tax incentives.

He said Pakistan was facing shortage of energy and the sector provided an opportunity for foreign investment.

Pakistan has coal deposits of 180 billion tons in the southeastern area and the southern coast provides tremendous potential of wind energy.

Other key sectors offering profitable ventures are agriculture, infrastructure development and mining.—APP