The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted a high-level discussion with Ambassador Takeshi Akahori, Japan’s Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, focusing on strengthening the partnership between Pakistan and Japan and addressing key regional and global issues. The Japanese delegation also included Iwase Kiichiro, Deputy Director of the Southwest Asia Division at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Shinohara Nobukuni, First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Islamabad.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, representing the ISSI, welcomed the Japanese officials and emphasized the enduring relationship between Pakistan and Japan, grounded in mutual respect, friendship, and a joint commitment to regional peace and prosperity. He pointed out the vast potential for collaboration in various fields, including trade, investment, climate change, energy, technology, and human resource development. Mahmood also highlighted the importance of strengthening academic and policy-level ties to deepen mutual understanding and develop innovative solutions to emerging challenges.
Further discussions centered on the need to boost cooperation in areas such as regional connectivity, peace efforts in Afghanistan, and engagement on multilateral platforms to tackle global issues like climate resilience, sustainable development, and institutional reform. Mahmood praised Japan’s longstanding role as a development partner and its positive contributions to promoting stability and inclusive dialogue in South Asia.
Ambassador Akahori reiterated Japan’s commitment to supporting a stable and prosperous future for Pakistan and the wider region. He outlined Japan’s continued backing for development projects in Pakistan, particularly in climate resilience, human capital development, and infrastructure. Akahori also called for increased collaboration in trade, investment, technology, and cultural exchanges, encouraging regular high-level dialogue on regional and global issues to promote mutual understanding and shared growth.
Both sides also exchanged perspectives on the evolving geopolitical landscape, with discussions covering developments in South Asia, the Asia-Pacific, Afghanistan, and broader trends in international relations.
The session concluded with a strong reaffirmation of the desire to further deepen Pakistan–Japan relations across all areas, highlighting the importance of their partnership in an ever-changing regional and global context.
