Japan-Pakistan Relations

On September 20, commencing at 11:30 a.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was visiting New York to attend the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly, held a foreign ministers' meeting with H.E. Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs (equivalent to the Foreign Minister) of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The overview is as follows. 

1. In his opening remarks, Minister Kishida strongly condemned the terrorist attack that occurred in Pakistan this month, along with offering his condolences to the victims. Minister Kishida welcomed meeting Advisor to the Prime Minister Aziz again following a meeting in November last year, and explained that Japan attached importance to its relationship with Pakistan, which was geopolitically important, possessed a massive market and stood at the front lines of efforts to counter international terrorism, and hoped to communicate solidly with Pakistan. In response, Advisor to the Prime Minister Aziz stated that strengthening relations with Japan was a high priority for Pakistan's Sharif Administration, and he hoped to visit Japan at a mutually convenient time to discuss strengthening the strategic relationship between the two countries.  
2. Minister Kishida appreciated Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts, and encouraged  their continuous proactive engagement in countering terrorism. Additionally, Minister Kishida explained that Japan intended to actively support Pakistan's counterterrorism efforts, and he proposed holding a bilateral dialogue in order to discuss specific measures for combating terrorism. In response, Advisor to the Prime Minister Aziz welcomed the proposal to discuss counterterrorism and stated that he hoped experts from both countries would share their knowledge.
3. Minister Kishida stated that Japan was paying attention to Pakistan's young workforce and massive market, along with explaining that he hoped to follow up the "Pakistan-Japan Government Business Joint Dialogue" held in November last year in order to achieve active bilateral economic relations, and he requested that Pakistan would ensure the safety of Japanese companies' personnel and Official Development Assistance (ODA) personnel. Advisor to the Prime Minister Aziz explained that Pakistan's economy had recovered and that trade and investment opportunities were increasing, and he hoped to strengthen bilateral public-private dialogue and expand trade and investment between the two countries.