Tokyo: Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, met with Japan’s Senior State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Myaiji Takuma, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo. During the meeting, both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and other sectors.
Mr. Myaiji Takuma congratulated Maryam Nawaz Sharif on becoming the first female Chief Minister of Punjab and remarked, “Your official visit to Japan is not only historic but also marks the first visit of this level by a Pakistani leader in the last three decades.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed warm wishes for the Japanese leadership and people, stating, “Japan is a model for the world in terms of development, technology, and moral values. We aim to implement Japan’s developmental model in Punjab to bring about real change in public welfare.”
She further emphasized Punjab’s interest in learning from Japan’s expertise and technology in dealing with natural disasters like earthquakes and floods — particularly in areas such as earthquake-resistant construction and emergency management.
Mr. Takuma appreciated the over 120 development projects launched in Punjab and reiterated that Japan has always valued Pakistan as a friendly nation. He also expressed condolences and sympathy over the recent loss of lives caused by floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also briefed the Japanese side on the incentives and facilities being provided to investors in Punjab, to which the Japanese minister responded with appreciation.
Maryam Nawaz added, “Japan and Pakistan have stood by each other in every time of need, and we always hold Japan’s friendship and support in the highest regard.”
