Japan is reaffirming its long-standing commitment to Pakistan by placing greater emphasis on education, youth engagement, cultural understanding and people-to-people connections between the two countries.
The message was highlighted by H.E. Mr. AKAMATSU Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, during his visit to the Islamabad Campus of Bahria University on September 24, where he held discussions with university leadership and participated in a ceremony marking the handover of around 100 Japan-related books.
While the occasion centered on the READ JAPAN PROJECT, Ambassador Akamatsu used the opportunity to underline a much broader relationship—one that Japan has developed with Pakistan through decades of economic cooperation and support for education.
His message was particularly focused on Pakistan’s young generation and its potential role in shaping the future of bilateral relations.
Ambassador Akamatsu Highlights Education as a Bridge Between Japan and Pakistan
During his first visit to Bahria University’s Islamabad Campus, Ambassador Akamatsu met Rector Bahria University, Vice Admiral Abid Hameed HI (M), to exchange views on further cooperation.
The discussions were followed by a book handover ceremony in which the Embassy of Japan in Pakistan presented approximately 100 books to the university under the READ JAPAN PROJECT.
The collection covers a broad range of subjects, including:
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Japanese history
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Politics and government
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Economy
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Security
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International relations
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Philosophy
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Literature
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Japanese language
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Culture
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Socio-economic development
The books were selected by Bahria University and are in English, making them accessible to students and researchers interested in understanding Japan from multiple perspectives.
For Japan, the initiative represents more than a library donation.
It is an investment in knowledge exchange and mutual understanding.
“Bridges of Knowledge” for the Next Generation
Addressing students and faculty, Ambassador Akamatsu described the books as “bridges of knowledge” and encouraged students to make full use of the opportunities available to them.
He also expressed hope that Bahria University students would become the next generation of bridges between Japan and Pakistan.
That message reflects an important aspect of Japan’s approach to international engagement: building relationships not only through government-to-government cooperation but also through connections among students, universities, researchers and wider civil society.
For Pakistan, where a large and increasingly internationally connected youth population is shaping the country’s future, educational and cultural exchanges can provide opportunities to develop deeper understanding of foreign societies and economies.
Why Japan Is Focusing on Pakistani Youth
Ambassador Akamatsu noted the steadily growing interest in Japan among Pakistani youth.
The timing is also significant as Japan and Pakistan look toward the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
The ambassador expressed hope that the donated books would give Pakistani students greater insight into Japan’s culture, society and socio-economic development.
This focus on young people is particularly relevant to the future of Japan-Pakistan relations.
Diplomatic relationships are sustained not only by official agreements and economic projects but also by people who understand each other’s societies.
Students who gain knowledge about Japan today may become researchers, diplomats, business leaders, academics, entrepreneurs or policymakers who contribute to bilateral cooperation in the future.
Japan’s Long-Standing Economic Cooperation With Pakistan
Education is only one part of Japan’s relationship with Pakistan.
During his remarks, Ambassador Akamatsu highlighted Japan’s long-standing economic cooperation with Pakistan, while emphasizing that Japan has traditionally placed particular importance on education and respect for autonomy.
This provides important context to the latest engagement at Bahria University.
Japan’s cooperation with Pakistan has historically included development assistance, infrastructure, human resource development and technical cooperation. Through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan has supported development initiatives in Pakistan across areas including health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, governance and human resource development.
The emphasis on education at Bahria University therefore fits into a much broader history of Japanese engagement with Pakistan.
READ JAPAN PROJECT Brings Japanese Knowledge to Pakistani Students
The READ JAPAN PROJECT is at the center of the latest initiative.
The project was launched by the Nippon Foundation in 2008 and is currently administered by the Tokyo Foundation. Its objective is to promote global understanding of Japan by donating English-language books about Japan to universities, libraries and research institutions around the world.
The Bahria University collection provides students with an opportunity to study Japan beyond popular cultural impressions.
The subjects span history, politics, economics, international relations, security, philosophy and literature, allowing students to explore the country’s development from academic and historical perspectives.
This can be particularly valuable for students interested in international relations and Asia’s changing economic and strategic landscape.
Bahria University Welcomes Stronger Japan-Pakistan Exchanges
Rear Admiral Naeem Sarwar SI (M), Director General of Bahria University’s Islamabad Campus, expressed gratitude to the Nippon Foundation and the Embassy of Japan for the donation.
He noted that the books would help students learn more about Japan and could contribute to further strengthening Japan-Pakistan relations.
The university’s response also points to the importance of academic institutions in strengthening bilateral relationships.
Universities can serve as platforms where students from different countries learn about one another, conduct research, establish professional networks and develop ideas for future cooperation.
People-to-People Relations Take Center Stage
One of the key themes emerging from Ambassador Akamatsu’s visit is the importance of people-to-people relations.
Government-level diplomacy establishes the framework for bilateral relations, but long-term partnerships are also shaped by students, academics, professionals and communities.
The Embassy’s support for the READ JAPAN PROJECT demonstrates one way of creating those connections.
Instead of focusing exclusively on immediate policy outcomes, educational exchanges can create a foundation for deeper understanding over time.
For Japan and Pakistan, this could become increasingly important as both countries approach a milestone year in their diplomatic relationship.
75 Years of Japan-Pakistan Diplomatic Relations
The upcoming 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan provides an opportunity to reflect on the history of bilateral ties while considering their future direction.
Ambassador Akamatsu’s remarks suggest that education and youth engagement will remain relevant elements of that future.
The anniversary is not simply a historical milestone. It also provides an opportunity for both countries to explore how their relationship can evolve in areas such as education, technology, trade, investment, human resource development, cultural exchange and sustainable development.
The growing interest in Japan among Pakistani youth could provide an additional foundation for these efforts.
A Broader Message of Japan’s Commitment to Pakistan
The Bahria University visit may have been centered on approximately 100 books, but its significance extends beyond the number of books handed over.
The visit brought together diplomacy, education, cultural understanding and economic cooperation—four areas that have helped shape Japan-Pakistan relations over the years.
Ambassador Akamatsu’s emphasis on Japan’s long-standing economic cooperation with Pakistan, combined with his focus on education and autonomy, presents a picture of bilateral engagement that goes beyond individual projects.
The message is particularly relevant at a time when Pakistan is seeking opportunities for economic development, human capital formation and stronger international partnerships.
From Books to Future Partnerships
The real impact of the READ JAPAN PROJECT may not be measured by the number of books placed on university shelves.
Its longer-term value could lie in what students do with the knowledge they gain.
A student who reads about Japan’s economic development may develop an interest in trade or business.
Another may explore Japanese history or international relations.
A researcher may establish an academic partnership.
A future diplomat may develop a deeper understanding of Japan.
And a young Pakistani professional may eventually contribute to stronger economic or cultural links between the two countries.
That is the broader meaning behind Ambassador Akamatsu’s description of the books as “bridges of knowledge.”
Japan-Pakistan Relations: Looking Toward the Future
As Japan and Pakistan approach 75 years of diplomatic relations, education and youth engagement could provide important foundations for the next chapter of bilateral ties.
Ambassador Akamatsu’s visit to Bahria University demonstrates how relatively small initiatives can become part of a broader diplomatic strategy centered on mutual understanding.
The handover of Japanese books is therefore not simply a cultural event. It represents an effort to give Pakistani students greater access to knowledge about Japan while creating opportunities for future people-to-people connections.
For Japan, continued engagement with Pakistan involves more than economic cooperation. It also involves investing in knowledge, education, institutional relationships and the younger generation.
And for Pakistani students, the growing access to information about Japan offers an opportunity to understand a country whose experience in economic development, technology, education and international cooperation continues to attract interest.
As the two countries approach a historic diplomatic milestone, the relationship’s future may increasingly be shaped by these emerging bridges—built not only between governments, but between universities, students, researchers and societies.
