Japan would continue to support financially and technically Pakistan government's reforms in the field of economy, devolution of power and fight against terrorism.
Japanese government looks at these reforms positively as Pakistan has made considerable achievements in the area of economy, privatisation and devolution of power at the grassroots level, said newly designated Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, Seiji Kojima on Friday.
He said Pakistan was an important country to Japan strategically, economically and politically. And Japan would continue to support Pakistan in its journey to progress, he said in an interview with APP.
He also lauded Pakistan's role in the war against terror and termed it "a very difficult job the country was doing." "It's a very difficult job that you are doing to make the world a more safer place. Japan lauds and supports Pakistan's determination to establish peace in the world," he added.
"The international community should whole-heartedly back President General Pervez Musharraf in his fight against terrorism," said Ambassador Kojima, who, before his appointment in Islamabad as his country's top representative, has also worked at Japanese embassy in New Delhi and Washington DC.
He said the relations between the two countries had not seen such surge as in recent past and mentioned the visits of President Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to Japan and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Islamabad last year. "The momentum in the relations should be kept up by both the countries," he said.
He recalled that since 60's Japan has extended large amount of official development assistance (ODA) to Pakistan and said it would continue its economic and technical co-operation through Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and financial institutions. "We are committed to strengthen our relationship in other areas as well, including strengthening of political dialogue and security," he added.
During the interview, Ambassador Kojima said in view of Pakistan's vast potential and fast growing economy, more companies from Japan's private sector would like to invest in this country.
"More investment means more exports to Japan. More Japanese business people need to know the economic stability of Pakistan so that they could have a trust that their investments will be secure," he said. Ambassador Kojima expressed willingness to play his role in wooing more Japanese companies, whose number at present is only 30, to Pakistan, which he said, would help further strengthen trade relationships between the two countries.
He was of the view that trade volume between Japan and Pakistan was far below the potential for which he suggested that Pakistan needs to further strengthen its industrial base. "Japan's exports to Pakistan are worth 1.2 billion dollars, while Pakistan's exports to Japan are mere 160 million dollar. The trade balance is in Japan's favour. This trade gap needs to be balanced."
"Pakistan has the economic potential and the right atmosphere for more Japanese investors to come here." In reply to a question on the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan, the ambassador said his government welcomes the confidence building measures, adding the issue of Kashmir needed to be resolved through mutual understanding and consultation. "Dialogue is the only way for peaceful solution to the core issue of Kashmir between Pakistan and India and Japan supports this initiative."
"Pakistan is playing and should continue to play an important role for peace in South Asia as well as in the world," he added, and commended Pakistan's contribution to UN peacekeeping force.
In reply to a question about establishing world peace under current global scenario, he said in this regard UN role needs to be further strengthened and added, his government supports UN reforms to make it more representative of the world population. The other important factors, he said, are regional fora like Saarc and Asean, where dialogue and mutual understanding leads to enhanced trade besides contributing to world peace.
Answering a question on situation in Afghanistan, he said, Japan had so far extended one billion dollars for peace and reconstruction of the war-ravaged country and in addition to that it also pledged 450 million dollars at the London Donors Conference.
Regarding Pakistan-Japan co-operation in education sector, he said since 1954 hundreds of Pakistani scholars had completed their higher studies from Japanese universities under the full scholarship schemes. "This is a continuing process and I hope Japan would provide more scholarships to Pakistani students for higher education." The Japanese Ambassador expressed his willingness to cooperate for the development of education sector in Pakistan.
Ambassador Kojima, who has also remained the Vice President of Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), expressed his determination to further cementing the relationships between Pakistan and Japan.
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