ISLAMABAD: Takashi Kurai, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan has said that Japan attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan and both countries are extending cooperation to each other in various sectors.
He was addressing a reception arranged by him and his wife here at a local hotel on Wednesday in connection with Eid celebrations.
The reception was attended by Rafiq Ranjwana Governor of Punjab, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Let Gen Ret Naseer Khan Janjua National Security Adviser, Senator Saeed Ghani, Former Deputy Chairman Senate Commander Khalilur-Rehman, former diplomat Aziz Ahmad Khan, Khalid Mehmood former Pakistani Ambassador to China, businessmen, representatives of Japanese companies in Pakistan and representatives of the Pak-Japan Cultural Association.
While speaking at the reception Ambassador said that Japan considered Pakistan as an important country. The businessmen of both the countries had forged deep relations with each other.
While taking to Daily Times Ambassador Kurai said that Pakistan was very rich in culture and Japan always gives importance to the relations with Pakistan.”I took charge as Ambassador in Pakistan, on April 1, more than two months ago and I have enjoyed good tim here with the people, because the people of Pakistan are hospitable and kind enough. I feel comfortable here”.
“Before coming here a misperception was prevailing regarding Pakistan in terms of terrorist attacks and a propaganda blitz that here people are hostile. But, now my perception has entirely changed. Now I have visited, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar and even some KP villages also for some project inaugurations” he added.
He said he Japan wanted to see a strong and prosperous Pakistan. Pakistan had a lot of potential of development and Japan would cooperate with Pakistan and would play its due role in strengthening ties.
The Japanese Ambassador said that there was a potential for development in Pakistan and Japan wanted to see it strong and prosperous.
Saeed Ghani, Convener of the Parliamentary Groups of Japan and Pakistan stressed the need for more concentration on relations with Japan. Pakistan might focus more on China because of its all weather friendship and deep friendly relations with Pakistan and being a neighboring country. Japan also always helped Pakistan in difficult times.
“Though Japan and China have their own problems and we don’t’ need to involve ourselves in it” Japan is an important country in Asia and Pakistan needs to give more focus on it. Japan is also among the few countries where Pakistanis are genuinely respected. Our image is better therein and we should endeavour more to boost ties with Japan ” he added.
Hafiz S.A Rehman, President Pak-Japan Cultural Association said that the PJCA was established in 1972 and since then it was promoting interaction and understanding among the people of both the countries.
He said Japan was providing technical and financial assistance to Pakistan in education, health, communication and other various sectors.
Dr. Ahmad Rashid Malik, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad while speaking on Pak-Japan relations told Daily Times that Pakistan was currently ignoring Japan and the last high level visit of Japan was undertaken by former President Zardari in 2011. But it seemed that the present government was ignoring the East Asian region up to Australia other than China.
He said on the contrary, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under the “Act East Asia Policy” was frequently visiting the countries of the region, including the small Island of Fiji.
The participants of the ceremony were also entertained with Japanese traditional music while a demo of martial arts and stunts was highly appreciated by the participants.