Japan to continue support Pakistan its journey to Progress
By Sarah Kamal 'Pakistan Times' Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Newly designated Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, Seiji Kojima has said his country would continue to support Pakistan government's reforms in the field of economy, devolution of power and fight against terrorism.

Japanese government looks at these reforms positively as Pakistan has made considerable achievements in the area of economy, privatization and devolution of power at the grassroots level, he said in an interview with APP.

Ambassador Kojima said Pakistan is an important country to Japan strategically, economically and politically and it (Japan) would continue to support Pakistan in its journey to progress.

Lauding Pakistan's role in the war against terror, he said, "it is a very difficult job the country was doing to make the world a more safer place." Japan lauds and supports Pakistan's determination to establish peace in the world, he added.

"The international community should whole heartedly back President General Pervez Musharraf in his fight against terrorism," said Ambassador Kojima who before his appointment in Islamabad as his country's top representative, has also worked at Japanese embassy in New Delhi and Washington DC.

He said the relations between the two countries have not seen such surge as in recent past and mentioned the visits of President Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to Japan and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Islamabad last year.

"The momentum in the relations should be kept up by both the countries," he said.

He recalled that since 60's Japan has extended large amount of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Pakistan and said it would continue its economic and technical cooperation through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and financial institutions.

"We are committed to strengthen our relationship in other areas as well, including strengthening of political dialogue and security," he added.

During the interview, conducted by Aamir Sajjad and Shahid Ali Butt, the Ambassador Kojima said in view of Pakistan's vast potential and fast growing economy, more companies from Japan's private sector would like to invest in this country.

"More investment means more exports to Japan. More Japanese business people need to know the economic stability of Pakistan so that they could have a trust that their investments will be secure."

Ambassador Kojima expressed willingness to play his role in wooing more Japanese companies, whose number at present is only 30, to Pakistan which he said, would help further strengthen trade relationships between the two countries.

He was of the view that trade volume between Japan and Pakistan was far below the potential for which he suggested that Pakistan needs to further strengthen its industrial base.

"Japan's exports to Pakistan are worth 1.2 billion dollars, while Pakistan's exports to Japan are mere 160 million dollar. The trade balance is in Japan's favour. This trade gap needs to be balanced."

"Pakistan has the economic potential and the right atmosphere for more Japanese investors to come here."

Indo-Pak Talks

In reply to a question on the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan, Ambassador Kojima said his government welcomes the confidence building measures adding the issue of Kashmir needs to be resolved through mutual understanding and consultation.

"Dialogue is the only way for peaceful solution to the core issue of Kashmir between Pakistan and India and Japan supports this initiative."

"Pakistan is playing and should continue to play an important role for peace in South Asia as well as in the world," he added, and commended Pakistan's contribution to UN peace keeping force.

In reply to a question about establishing world peace under current global scenario, he said in this regard UN role needs to be further strengthened and added, his government supports UN reforms to make it more representative of the world population.

The other important factors, he said, are regional fora like SAARC and ASEAN, where dialogue and mutual understanding leads to enhanced trade besides contributing to world peace.

Answering a question on situation in Afghanistan, he said, Japan has so far extended one billion dollars for peace and reconstruction of the war-ravaged country and in addition to that it also pledged 450 million dollars at the London Donors Conference.

Replying to a question about Iraq, he said Japan wants normalization to return there and has committed to give loan of US $ 3.5 billion which is besides US $ 1.5 billion that it had already extended for reconstruction of the country.

Iran

On nuclear issue of Iran, Ambassador Kojima said it should respond positively to the comprehensive package offered by China, Russia and the US.

"The peaceful solution to this issue is negotiations and the matter should be resolved through diplomatic means," he stressed.

Regarding Pakistan-Japan cooperation in education sector, he said since 1954 hundreds of Pakistani scholars have completed their higher studies from Japanese universities under the full scholarship schemes.

"This is a continuing process and I hope Japan would provide more scholarships to Pakistani students for higher education."

The Japanese Ambassador expressed his willingness to cooperate for the development of education sector in Pakistan.

Ambassador Kojima, who has also remained the Vice President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), expressed his determination to further cementing the relationships between Pakistan and Japan.●