The 8th Pakistan–Japan Government–Business Joint Dialogue and the Pakistan Business Forum were held in Tokyo, marking the first convening of the Joint Dialogue in the Japanese capital since December 2018.
The Government–Business Joint Dialogue was co-chaired by Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Commerce and Industry, and Takuo Komori, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan Abdul Hameed also participated in the Dialogue along with senior officials from both sides.
The Dialogue brought together senior government officials and private-sector representatives from Pakistan and Japan, including members of the Pakistan–Japan Business Forum and the Japan–Pakistan Business Co-operation Committee. Around 80 participants attended the session.
During the Dialogue, both sides exchanged views on strengthening bilateral economic relations, with a particular focus on improving the trade and investment environment and advancing practical cooperation.
The Pakistani side outlined the country’s economic priorities and highlighted opportunities for collaboration in key sectors including minerals and mining, agricultural and agri-food products, and information technology.
The Japanese side shared perspectives on the operating environment for Japanese companies in Pakistan and discussed areas where continued engagement and follow-up could further facilitate business activities.
Participants reaffirmed the importance of sustained government-to-government engagement, complemented by close coordination with the private sector, to promote mutually beneficial economic cooperation between Pakistan and Japan.
Following the Joint Dialogue, the Pakistan Business Forum was held in Tokyo. The Forum was co-organized by the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo and the Japan External Trade Organization, in cooperation with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and was attended by leading Japanese and Pakistani business representatives.
The Forum featured remarks by Executive Vice President of JETRO Okumura Akiko and Parliamentary Vice-Minister Takuo Komori, along with a message from Akira Terakawa, Chairman of the Japan–Pakistan Business Co-operation Committee. Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan addressed the Forum as Guest of Honour.
The Pakistan Business Forum included sector-specific presentations highlighting practical cooperation between Japanese and Pakistani partners. Komatsu presented details of its ongoing and planned engagement in Pakistan’s mining sector, focusing on long-term operations, technology deployment, and workforce development.
Pak Suzuki Motor Company shared an overview of its biogas pilot project in Pakistan, aimed at converting agricultural and livestock waste into alternative fuel and organic fertilizer.
The Forum also featured a presentation by the Trade and Investment Counsellor of the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo titled “From Trade to Investment: Building Japan–Pakistan Joint Value Chains.”
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Abdul Hameed emphasized the importance of sustained engagement, trust-building, and long-term partnership in advancing Pakistan–Japan economic cooperation.
He also referred to the latest findings of the 2025 JETRO Survey on Business Conditions of Japanese Companies Operating Overseas, which indicate an improved profitability outlook and expansion intentions among Japanese companies operating in Pakistan, reflecting growing business confidence and medium-term investment interest.
The successful conduct of the Joint Dialogue and the Pakistan Business Forum was supported by active participation from the Pakistan–Japan Business Forum, led by Murtaza Mandviwalla, which contributed to strong private-sector engagement from both countries.
