Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will pay a two-day official visit to Pakistan from today for talks on bilateral relations, and regional and international issues. Senior officials of ministries of foreign affairs, finance, agriculture and economy, trade and industry will accompany the Japanese Premier. It is Prime Minister Koizumi's first visit to Pakistan. Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mon had visited Pakistan in August 2000. The Japanese Premier will call on President General Pervez Musharraf and hold talks with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
Welcome ceremony for the visiting Japanese Prime Minister will be held here at Prime Minister House soon after his arrival in the federal capital.
Koizumi will then call on the President and attend a lunch hosted by Musharraf in his honour.
Later in the afternoon, the distinguished guest will visit an exhibition of the products of joint venture companies at a hotel and address the business community.
The formal talks between Pakistan and Japan will be held at the Prime Minister House on issues of mutual interest, global and regional situation and UN reforms.
Both the governments are expected to sign a Technical Co-operation Agreement as well as agreements for the Taunsa Barrage and Faisalabad Water Purifying project.
Shaukat Aziz will also host a banquet in honour of the Japanese Prime Minister at the Prime Minister House.
Pakistan and Japan have enjoyed close friendly relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1952. Japan is also a major trading and investment partner of Pakistan and the bilateral trade between the two countries is about one billion dollars.