By Irfan Siddiqi – Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo – Pakistan’s Ambassador to Japan, Abdul Hameed, held an important meeting in Tokyo with Dr. Hironao Takahashi, a well-known Japanese business leader and investor who has had a long association with Pakistan. The meeting took place at the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo and focused on strengthening bilateral economic cooperation, particularly in the field of information technology (IT).
Dr. Takahashi recalled his long-standing connection with Pakistan. He informed the Ambassador that he had previously served as Honorary Investment Counselor of Pakistan in Japan and had already made significant investments in Pakistan’s IT sector. He expressed his continued interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan, highlighting that the country’s technology landscape offered vast opportunities for Japanese investors.
Ambassador Abdul Hameed warmly welcomed Dr. Takahashi’s remarks and appreciated his contributions toward enhancing Pakistan-Japan economic relations over the years. The Ambassador praised Dr. Takahashi’s past services and stressed that such efforts were valuable for Pakistan at a time when the country is actively seeking to expand its economic and trade ties with Japan.
The Ambassador further encouraged Dr. Takahashi to continue playing a role in building bridges between the two countries. He underlined the importance of increasing Japanese investment in Pakistan’s IT industry, which has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy. “Pakistan has a pool of talented young IT professionals who can serve as a great resource for Japanese companies,” he remarked.
Ambassador Hameed also invited Dr. Takahashi to help introduce Pakistani IT specialists and startups to Japanese investors, thereby opening new avenues for cooperation. He emphasized that Pakistan’s young entrepreneurs and startups possess the creativity and drive needed to meet global digital challenges, but they require exposure to advanced markets such as Japan. Partnerships with Japanese companies, he added, would not only benefit Pakistan’s technology sector but also provide Japanese businesses with cost-effective and innovative solutions.
Dr. Takahashi expressed his willingness to explore such initiatives and acknowledged the potential of Pakistan’s growing IT ecosystem. He noted that Pakistan’s strategic location, competitive workforce, and expanding digital market make it an attractive destination for Japanese investors.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides agreeing to continue consultations and identify practical steps to enhance collaboration in trade, investment, and technology. The Ambassador reiterated the Embassy’s full support for facilitating Japanese businesses interested in Pakistan, assuring Dr. Takahashi that the Government of Pakistan is committed to providing a friendly environment for foreign investors.
The discussion reflected a broader trend in Pakistan-Japan relations, where both nations are increasingly looking to diversify their cooperation beyond traditional sectors. Information technology, renewable energy, and human resource development are now seen as key areas for future growth.
As Pakistan continues to promote its IT exports and seeks stronger integration with the global digital economy, partnerships with experienced investors like Dr. Hironao Takahashi are expected to play a crucial role.
