By Anzal Amin
ISLAMABAD: The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on Thursday hosted Ambassador Takeshi Akahori, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, for exchange of views on bilateral, regional and international issues.
The Japanese delegation included Iwase Kiichiro, Deputy Director, Southwest Asia Division, MOFA, Japan, and Shinohara Nobukuni, First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Islamabad, said a press release.
Welcoming the dignitaries, DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood underlined the significance of Pakistan–Japan relations, anchored in mutual respect, long-standing friendship, and a shared commitment to regional peace and prosperity.
He highlighted the vast potential for enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, climate change, energy, technology, human resource development, and people-to-people exchanges. He also underscored Japan’s important role as a longstanding development partner of Pakistan.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood further emphasized the importance of building stronger academic and policy-level engagements to foster mutual understanding and provide fresh perspectives on emerging challenges. He also underlined the need to expand collaboration in advancing regional connectivity, peace-building efforts in Afghanistan, and cooperation on multilateral platforms to address global issues such as climate resilience, sustainable development, and reform of international financial and governance institutions, noting that Pakistan greatly values Japan’s constructive role in promoting regional stability and its consistent support for inclusive dialogue and cooperative solutions in South Asia and beyond.
Senior Deputy Minister Akahori emphasised Japan’s strong interest in working closely with Pakistan to promote a stable, prosperous, and resilient future. He highlighted Japan’s consistent support for Pakistan’s development projects, including initiatives in climate resilience, human capital development, infrastructure, and regional stability, while noting the importance of sustaining long-term cooperation for shared growth.partnership in the evolving regional and global context.
