Brief History of Pakistan-Japan Bilateral Relations

Historical links between the peoples of the two countries date back to pre-historic times. Around 1930, a chair for Urdu language was established in Tokyo University and Takushoku University. Since then, the research on Urdu language and on people of the region started in Japan.

Since the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the two countries enjoyed cordial and friendly relations. At the 1951 San Francisco Pease Conference, Pakistan was the only major country invited from South Asia (as China was not invited, and India and Burma stayed away from the Conference for their own reasons). At the conference, Pakistan delegation led by Foreign Minister Sir. Zafarullah Khan strongly argued for treating Japan with respect. Sir Zafarullah made a historical speech noting that "The peace with Japan should be a premised on justice and reconciliation, not on vengeance and oppression. In future Japan would play an important role as a result of the series of reforms initiated in the political and social structure of Japan which hold out a bright promise of progress and which qualify Japan to take place as an equal in the fellowship of peace loving nations."

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 28^th April 1952, Pakistan-Japan relations have steadily progressed. Soon after the San Francisco Peace Conference, Pakistan was one of the very few countries which opened their commercial office in Japan. Similarly, Japan opened one of its earliest trade offices in Karachi. In 1952, Pakistan opened its Embassy in Tokyo. Mr. Mian Ziauddin became the first Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan. In early 50's Pakistan was a major import destination for raw cotton for Japan. During the Korean War and in the Cold War, Pakistan and Japan found themselves on the same side of the divide. President Ayub Khan visited Japan in 1960. That was followed by Prime Minister Ike's visit to Pakistan in 1961. During the latter's visit, agreement to start two projects on Yen Credits and Transferring Students were concluded. Accordingly, 80 Pakistani students were transferred to Japan, mainly to Chiba University where they acquired Japanese language training and technology skills. YEN Credits was established to deepen trading and economic relationship. According to the YEN Credit contract, Japan accepted long repayment periods, and Pakistan only bought Japanese products. It was aimed to achieve two purposes, for Pakistan good products were available at discounted price, and for Japan, its products were introduced in Pakistani and other Muslim countries markets. The two agreements not only brought Pakistan the new technology and skills to use Japanese products but also established strong connectivity between Pakistan and Japan.

In the 1980’s bilateral relations were further bolstered due to Pakistan’s role in securing the withdrawal of the Soviet forces from Afghanistan and the sea lanes security through which Japan receives bulk of its oil.

Although the bilateral relations saw a difficult phase following the nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan in 1998, the engagement at the political level continued.

The August 2000 visit to Pakistan by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori signaled Japan’s desire to continue highest-level engagement with Pakistan. President Pervez Musharraf also visited Japan in 2000. Since 2001, Japan has also been highly appreciative of Pakistan’s vital role in the war against terrorism. It extended humanitarian assistance to Pakistan in the wake of 2005 earthquake.

During the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Pakistan on 30 April -1^st May 2005, Pakistan-Japan Joint Declaration entitled “Pakistan-Japan at a new frontier; towards a renewed, enhanced and robust relationship” was signed. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz visited Japan in August 2005.

Japan welcomed the 2007 return of democracy in Pakistan. It not only hosted the Friends of Democratic Pakistan and Donors’ Conference in Tokyo in April 2009, but also pledged US$1 billion at the Conference. Japan has also come forward to assist Pakistan in its flood relief and rescue operations. It announced contributions for flood relief and rehabilitation efforts at the Pakistan Development Forum on 14-15 November 2010.

During the visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to Japan in 21-23 February 2011, the two sides signed the Joint Statement on Japan-Pakistan Comprehensive Partnership.

High Level Exchanges

            Following high-level visits have been exchanged between the two countries since establishment of diplomatic relations:

i)   From Japan:

• 1957                            Prime Minister Shinsuke Kishi
• 1961                            Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda
• 1962                            Crown Prince Akihito (now Emperor) and Princess
• 1983                           Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone
• 1990                           Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu
• 2000                          Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori
• 2005                           Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi

ii)  From Pakistan:

• 1960                           President Ayub Khan
• 1983                           President Zia-ul-Haq
• 1987                            Prime Minister Muhammad Khan Junejo
• 1989                           Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto
• 1990                           President Ghulam Ishaq Khan
• 1992                            Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
• 1996                            Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto
• 2002                           President Pervez Musharraf
• 2005                           Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz
• 2009                           President Asif Ali Zardari
• 2011                            President Asif Ali Zardari

Bilateral Institutional Mechanisms

            Pakistan and Japan have following institutional mechanisms:

• Annual Bilateral Political Consultations at Foreign Secretary level.
• Security Dialogue (including Defense and Foreign Ministries)
  • Expert-level Working Group on Disarmament & Non Proliferation
    • Official-level discussions Export Controls
  • Expert-level Working Group on Counter-Terrorism Cooperation
• High Level Economic Policy Dialogue

Bilateral Agreements

Japanese ODA : On-going Projects in Pakistan

Based on the Country Assistance Programme, Japanese ODA has been supporting the efforts of the Government of Pakistan to revive its economy and to reduce poverty through a series of reforms and supporting the initiatives taken through Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). In doing so, following sectors have been identified as being crucial: Health, Sanitation, Education Agriculture, Irrigation, Economic Infrastructure and Economic Development. Details of ongoing projects are as under: