ISLAMABAD (MNN); The Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, hosted a reception in Islamabad to mark the 66th birthday of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito. The event was held at the Serena Hotel on the evening of February 10 and was attended by President of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, as the chief guest, along with diplomats and other distinguished guests.
Welcoming the participants, Ambassador Akamatsu expressed his gratitude for celebrating the occasion in Islamabad and noted that it marked the eighth birthday celebration since the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito. He thanked President Zardari and guests for joining the ceremony.
The Japanese ambassador highlighted recent political developments in Japan, referring to the successful general election for the House of Representatives and the strong mandate secured by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister. He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to the rule of law, multilateralism and the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. He also acknowledged Pakistan’s role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and expressed Japan’s intention to work closely with Pakistan on regional and global issues.
Speaking on bilateral relations, Ambassador Akamatsu noted the success of the Pakistan Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, which won two awards including the Bronze Prize in the Exhibition category and the Editors’ Choice Award. He said the pavilion helped generate greater interest and goodwill toward Pakistan among the Japanese public. The Expo also facilitated the revival of high-level exchanges, including official visits to Japan by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the Prime Minister’s Special Adviser on Industry and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan.
Looking ahead, the ambassador outlined three priority areas to strengthen bilateral ties. These included expanding people-to-people exchanges such as participation in the Asian Games and Asian Para Games to be held in Nagoya later this year, enhancing economic cooperation through the resumption of yen loan projects under Official Development Assistance and expanding collaboration in Pakistan’s IT sector, and promoting Japanese cuisine as part of cultural exchange.
Ambassador Akamatsu also expressed condolences over the recent terrorist attack at a mosque in Islamabad and prayed for the early recovery of the injured. He reiterated that Japan strongly condemns terrorism and stands in solidarity with the government and people of Pakistan.
Concluding his remarks, he expressed hope that people-to-people exchanges between Japan and Pakistan would further intensify and that a cooperative partnership suited to the needs of the new era would continue to develop.
The reception featured Japanese wagyu beef and included exhibitions of traditional Japanese arts such as Ikebana and Bonsai, organized by the Lahore Sogetsu Study Group and Lahore Bonsai Society. Displays by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and Japanese companies including Toyota Indus Motors, Suzuki, Honda, Hino, Idemitsu, Sojitz and Kumon were also showcased.
