Historical links between the peoples of the two countries date back to pre-historic times. Around 1930, a chair for Urdu language was established in Tokyo University and Takushoku University. Since then, the research on Urdu language and on people of the region started in Japan.
Since the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the two countries enjoyed cordial and friendly relations. At the 1951 San Francisco Peace Conference, Pakistan was the only major country invited from South Asia (as China was not invited, and India and Burma stayed away from the Conference for their own reasons). At the conference, Pakistan delegation led by Foreign Minister Sir. Zafarullah Khan strongly argued for treating Japan with respect. Sir Zafarullah made a historical speech noting that "The peace with Japan should be a premised on justice and reconciliation, not on vengeance and oppression. In future Japan would play an important role as a result of the series of reforms initiated in the political and social structure of Japan which hold out a bright promise of progress and which qualify Japan to take place as an equal in the fellowship of peace loving nations".
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 28th April 1952, Pakistan-Japan relations have steadily progressed. Soon after the San Francisco Peace Conference, Pakistan was one of the very few countries which opened their commercial office in Japan. Similarly, Japan opened one of its earliest trade offices in Karachi. In 1952, Pakistan opened its Embassy in Tokyo. Mr. Mian Ziauddin became the first Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan. In early 50's Pakistan was a major import destination for raw cotton for Japan. During the Korean War and in the Cold War, Pakistan and Japan found themselves on the same side of the divide. President Ayub Khan visited Japan in 1960. That was followed by Prime Minister Ike's visit to Pakistan in 1961. During the latter's visit, agreement to start two projects on Yen Credits and Transferring Students were concluded. Accordingly, 80 Pakistani students were transferred to Japan, mainly to Chiba University where they acquired Japanese language training and technology skills. YEN Credits was established to deepen trading and economic relationship. According to the YEN Credit contract, Japan accepted long repayment periods, and Pakistan only bought Japanese products. It was aimed to achieve two purposes, for Pakistan good products were available at discounted price, and for Japan, its products were introduced in Pakistani and other Muslim countries' markets. The two agreements not only brought Pakistan the new technology and skills to use Japanese products but also established strong connectivity between Pakistan and Japan.
In the 1980’s bilateral relations were further bolstered due to Pakistan’s role in securing the withdrawal of the Soviet forces from Afghanistan and the sea lanes security through which Japan receives bulk of its oil.
Although the bilateral relations saw a difficult phase following the nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan in 1998, the engagement at the political level continued.
The August 2000 visit to Pakistan by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori signaled Japan’s desire to continue highest-level engagement with Pakistan. President Pervez Musharraf also visited Japan in 2000. Since 2001, Japan has also been highly appreciative of Pakistan’s vital role in the war against terrorism. It extended humanitarian assistance to Pakistan in the wake of 2005 earthquake.
During the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Pakistan on 30 April -1st May 2005, Pakistan-Japan Joint Declaration entitled “Pakistan-Japan at a new frontier; towards a renewed, enhanced and robust relationship” was signed. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz visited Japan in August 2005.
Japan welcomed the 2007 return of democracy in Pakistan. It not only hosted the Friends of Democratic Pakistan and Donors’ Conference in Tokyo in April 2009, but also pledged US$1 billion at the Conference. Japan has also come forward to assist Pakistan in its flood relief and rescue operations. It announced contributions for flood relief and rehabilitation efforts at the Pakistan Development Forum on 14-15 November 2010.
During the visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to Japan in 21-23 February 2011, the two sides signed the Joint Statement on Japan-Pakistan Comprehensive Partnership.
President Dr. Arif Alvi has attended the Enthronement Ceremony of the Emperor of Japan Naruhito in October 2019.
High Level Exchanges
Following high-level visits have been exchanged between the two countries since establishment of diplomatic relations:
i) From Japan:
| 1957 | Prime Minister Shinsuke Kishi |
| 1961 | Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda |
| 1962 | Crown Prince Akihito (now Emperor) and Princess |
| 1983 | Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone |
| 1990 | Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu |
| 2000 | Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori |
| 2005 | Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi |
ii) From Pakistan:
| 1960 | President Ayub Khan |
| 1983 | President Zia-ul-Haq |
| 1987 | Prime Minister Muhammad Khan Junejo |
| 1989 | Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto |
| 1990 | President Ghulam Ishaq Khan |
| 1992 | Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif |
| 1996 | Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto |
| 2002 | President Pervez Musharraf |
| 2005 | Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz |
| 2009 | President Asif Ali Zardari |
| 2011 | President Asif Ali Zardari |
| 2019 | President Dr. Arif Alvi |
Bilateral Institutional Mechanisms
Pakistan and Japan have following institutional mechanisms:
- Annual Bilateral Political Consultations at Foreign Secretary level.
- Security Dialogue (including Defense and Foreign Ministries)
- Expert-level Working Group on Disarmament & Non Proliferation
- Official-level discussions Export Controls
- Expert-level Working Group on Counter-Terrorism Cooperation
- High Level Economic Policy Dialogue
Bilateral Agreements
|
|
Agreements/Treaties |
Signed |
Effective |
|
1. |
Pakistan-Japan Trade Agreement |
10 April 1953 |
14 May 1953 |
|
2. |
Pakistan-Japan Trade Agreement |
29 October 1954 |
15 September 1954 |
|
3. |
Pakistan-Japan Cultural Agreement |
27 May 1957 |
21 April 1958 |
|
4. |
Pakistan-Japan Trade Agreement |
7 September 1957 |
1 July 1957 |
|
5. |
Pakistan-Japan Trade Agreement |
5 September 1958 |
1 September 1958 |
|
6. |
Pakistan-Japan Convention on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income |
10 December 19 |
|
|
7. |
Double Taxation Prevention Treaty |
17 February 1959 |
14 May 195 |
|
8. |
Pakistan-Japan Trade Agreement |
23 September 1959 |
1 September 19 |
|
9. |
Protocol Supplementing the Convention between Pakistan and Japan for Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect of Taxes on Income |
28 June 196 |
|
|
10. |
Supplementary Protocol to the Double Taxation Prevention Treaty |
28 June 1960 |
01 August 19 |
|
11. |
Pakistan-Japan Agreement for Establishment of Agricultural Training Centre |
30 July 1960 |
30 July 19 |
|
12. |
Pakistan-Japan Treaty of Friendship and Commerce |
18 December 1960 |
20 August 19 |
|
13. |
International Postal Money Order Exchange Agreement |
7 February 1961 |
01 August 196 |
|
14. |
Pakistan-Japan Agreement relating to Air Services |
17 October 1961 |
12 July 19 |
|
15. |
Pakistan-Japan Agreement regarding Establishment of a Telecommunication Research Centre |
16 November 1963 |
16 November 196 |
|
16. |
Pakistan-Japan Plan of operation for Engineering and Economic Survey for the Development of a New Ocean Port at Pitti Creek in West Pakistan |
2 February 1971 |
|
|
17. |
Agreement for Promotion and Protection of Investment |
29 April 2002 |
29 May 2002 |
|
18. |
Technical Cooperation Agreement |
30 April 2005 |
30 April 2005 |
|
19. |
Avoidance of Double Taxation Convention (Revised) |
23 January 2008 |
9 November 2008 |
| MoU | Signed | Effective | |
| 1. |
Memorandum of understanding between the Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Japan Mine Action Service |
3 March 2009 |
|
Japanese ODA : On-going Projects in Pakistan
Based on the Country Assistance Programme, Japanese ODA has been supporting the efforts of the Government of Pakistan to revive its economy and to reduce poverty through a series of reforms and supporting the initiatives taken through Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). In doing so, following sectors have been identified as being crucial: Health, Sanitation, Education Agriculture, Irrigation, Economic Infrastructure and Economic Development. Details of ongoing projects are as under:
| Scheme | Sector | Project name | Project site | Pakistani Agency |
| Development Studies | Sanitation | The Study on Water Supply and Sewerage System in Karachi | Karachi | Karachi Water Supply and Sewerage Board (KWSB) |
| Technical Cooperation Projects | Agriculture and Irrigation | Irrigation Management Transfer/ Water Management Expert | Punjab Province | Punjab Irrigation and Power Department/Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority |
| Technical Cooperation Projects | Environment | Technical Cooperation for Establishment of Environmental Monitoring System | Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar | Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) |
| Technical Cooperation Projects | Environment | Capacity Building for Solid Waste Management | Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Peshawar,Quetta, Karachi & Sukkur | Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency |
| Technical Cooperation Projects | Education | The Punjab Literacy Promotion Project (Phase - II) | Punjab Province | Literacy & Non-Formal Basic Education Department, Government of Punjab |
| Technical Cooperation Projects | Governance | Capacity Building of Pakistan Customs Administration | Islamabad,Karachi | Ministry of Finance, Central Board of Revenue |
| Technical Cooperation Projects | Governance | Project on Improvement of Public Administration for Local Governments in Punjab | District Hafizabad,Punjab Province | Local Government and Community Development Department, Government of the Punjab |
| Technical Cooperation Projects | Economic Infrastructure and Economic Development | The Project for Strengthening of Flood Risk Management in Lai Nullah Basin | Islamabad &Rawalpindi | Federal Flood Commission,Pakistan Meteorological Dept.,RawalpindiTehsil Municipal Administration |
| Technical Cooperation Projects | Economic Infrastructure and Economic Development | Highway Research and Training Center | Islamabad | National Highway Authority (NHA), Ministry of Communications |
| Technical Cooperation Projects | Economic Infrastructure and Economic Development | Construction Machinery Training Institute (CMTI) (Third Country Training Programme) | Islamabad | Construction Technology Training Institute (CTTI) |
| Technical Cooperation Projects | Economic Infrastructure and Economic Development | Transport policy adviser | Islamabad | National Highway Authority (NHA), Ministry of Communications |
| Development Studies | Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction | The Urgent Development Study on Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Muzaffarabad City in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan | Muzaffarabad | Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) |
| Technical Cooperation Projects | Agriculture | Agricultural Research & Extension Expert | The North West Frontier Province | Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperative Department, Government of NWFP |
| Technical Cooperation Projects | Health | Tuberculosis Control Project | Islamabad and Punjab | Ministry of Health |
| Technical Cooperation Projects | Health | Safe Motherhood | Islamabad | Pakistan Institute of Medical Science (PIMS) |
| Technical Cooperation Projects | Health | EPI/Polio Control Project |
NorthWesternFrontierProvince(Buner, Shanla and Swat districts) QCL, NIH (Islamabad) |
Ministry of Health, National Institute of Health (NIH) |
| Japanese ODA Loan | Education | Balochistan Middle Level Education | BalochistanProvince | Education Department, Government of Balochistan |
| Japanese ODA Loan | Transportation | Indus HighwayConstruction Project (III) | SindhProvince | National Highway Authority |
| Japanese ODA Loan | Transportation | East-West RoadImprovement (N-70) | PunjabProvince | National Highway Authority |
| Japanese ODA Loan | Transportation | Rural Roads Construction (II) | SindhProvince | Works and Services Department, Government of Sindh |
| Japanese ODA Loan | Power | Load Dispatch System Upgradation | Sindh, Balochistan, NWFP, andPunjabProvinces | Natinal Transmission and Dispatch Company |
| Japanese ODA Loan | Power | Dadu-Khuzdar Transmission System | Sindh andBalochistanProvinces | Natinal Transmission and Dispatch Company |
| Japanese ODA Loan | Power | PunjabTransmission Lines and Grid Station | PunjabProvince | Natinal Transmission and Dispatch Company |
| Japanese ODA Loan | Water | Lower ChenabCanal System Rehabilitation | PunjabProvince | PunjabIrrigation and Power Authority |
| Japanese ODA Loan | Water | PunjabIrrigation System Improvement | PunjabProvince | PunjabIrrigation and Power Authority |