**Japan Terms Pakistan as an Indispensable Country for Regional Stability**
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Pakistan has played a vital role in regional stability and is viewed as a committed partner in promoting peace, even amidst growing global challenges. This was the key message from Professor Masayuki Masuda, Division Head at Japan’s National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS), during a recent international seminar organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS).
Professor Masuda highlighted the shared history of both Pakistan and Japan, noting that both countries have suffered significant human and economic losses due to conflict. This shared experience, he argued, uniquely positions them to collaborate on peace-building initiatives.
He also highlighted Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” concept, emphasizing its goal of fostering regional peace and prosperity. This vision, he said, aligns with Pakistan’s own interests in enhancing regional connectivity. Professor Masuda called for increased cooperation between the two nations in areas like telecommunications, artificial intelligence (AI), and climate change, suggesting mutual benefits from such partnerships.
Masahiro Kurita, a Senior Fellow at NIDS, addressed concerns about Japan’s growing cooperation with India, including within the QUAD framework. He clarified that this cooperation is primarily focused on political and economic aspects and should not be seen as detrimental to Pakistan’s security interests. While acknowledging that perceptions of Pakistan are sometimes influenced by its relationship with China, Kurita emphasized Pakistan’s balanced approach to international relations, demonstrating its commitment to broad global ties.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of IRS, underscored the importance of Pakistan-Japan cooperation as a stabilizing factor in a time of increasing great power competition. He pointed to the shared values and interests that underpin the cordial relationship between the two countries and called for building upon this foundation to further strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors. Ambassador Saleem also advocated for increased political dialogue, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people contact to deepen mutual understanding.
Ambassador Farukh Amil, Chairman of IPO and a former Ambassador to Japan, reaffirmed Pakistan’s long-standing desire for a stronger development partnership with Japan. He praised Japan’s technological leadership, emphasizing the critical importance of collaboration in technology and innovation for Pakistan’s future economic and security progress. He also acknowledged and appreciated Japan’s unconditional humanitarian aid during natural disasters in Pakistan.