ISLAMABAD (MNN); Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan H.E. AKAMATSU Shuichi visited Bahria University Islamabad Campus for the first time on September 24 and held discussions with Rector Bahria University Vice Admiral Abid Hameed HI (M) on avenues for further cooperation between Japan and Pakistan.
The ambassador later attended a book handover ceremony at the university and presented around 100 books under the “READ JAPAN PROJECT”, an initiative launched by the Nippon Foundation in 2008 and currently administered by the Tokyo Foundation to promote a deeper global understanding of Japan through literature and knowledge.
The collection, selected by Bahria University, comprises English-language books covering a wide range of subjects, including Japan’s history, politics, economy, security, international relations, philosophy, literature, language and culture.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Akamatsu congratulated the students and faculty, describing the books as “bridges of knowledge.” He expressed hope that Bahria University students would make full use of the collection and emerge as the next generation of bridges between Japan and Pakistan.
The ambassador also noted the steadily growing interest in Japan among Pakistani youth. Referring to the upcoming 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan next year, he said the books would provide Pakistani students with valuable insights into Japan’s culture, society and socio-economic development.
Ambassador Akamatsu highlighted Japan’s longstanding economic cooperation with Pakistan and said Japan has consistently placed emphasis on education and respect for autonomy. He also appreciated Bahria University’s cooperation in promoting people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Representing Bahria University, Rear Admiral Naeem Sarwar SI (M), Director General of the Islamabad Campus, expressed gratitude to the Nippon Foundation and the Embassy of Japan for the donation. He said the books would help students gain a better understanding of Japan and contribute to further strengthening relations between Japan and Pakistan.
The READ JAPAN PROJECT was launched by the Nippon Foundation in 2008 to promote understanding of Japan by providing English-language books about the country to research institutions, universities and libraries around the world.
