The Japan-Pakistan Association

#202, 2-29-14, Kouenji-kita,
Suginami-ku, Tokyo 166-0002, Japan
Phone +81-3-5327-3588
Fax +81-3-5327-3598

View of Pakistan

Shah Faisal Mosque, Islamabad

Brief History of the Japan-Pakistan Association

In August 1947, shortly after independence, a trade mission from Pakistan came to Japan, and the Japanese business community decided to establish a private-sector Japan-Pakistan exchange organization, which led to the launch of the Japan-Pakistan Economic Association. The first president was Mr. Hisato Ichimada, who served as the Governor of the Bank of Japan. The second president was Mr. Kichio Futami, president of the Bank of Tokyo.
In 1957, Prime Minister Mr. Nobusuke Kishi visited Pakistan, and a cultural agreement was signed between the two countries. The association changed its name to “the Japan-Pakistan Association”, and began to work on cultural exchange in addition to economic relations.
In 1960, the association was reorganized from a voluntary organization to a public interest incorporated foundation, and under the third president, Mr. Shigeo Horie, president of the Bank of Tokyo, the association worked to enhance its organization and develop its business. In 1971, Mr. Shizuma Matsuo, president of Japan Airlines, was appointed as the fourth president. In 1972, trade between Japan and Pakistan expanded, and economic exchange between the two countries progressed.
In 1975, Mr. Hiroki Imazato, president of Nippon Seiko Ltd. (NSK), was appointed as the fifth president. In addition to the traditional corporate membership, an individual membership system was established to widen the association's base and expand its business scope.
In April 1981, Mr. Shunji Ueda, president of Nichimen, was appointed as the sixth chairman. In addition to promoting closer economic ties, he also focused on cultural exchange to increase understanding between the people of the two countries and deepen friendly relations.
In 1983, President Mr. Zia ul Haq visited Japan as a state guest of the Japanese government, in 1987 Prime Minister Mr. Muhammad Khan Junejo visited as an official guest, in 1992 Prime Minister Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif visited as an official working visit guest, and in 1996 Prime Minister Mrs. Benazir Bhutto visited as an official guest, and a welcome party was held for each visit. (The Japan-Pakistan Economic Committee was established within the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry in November 1984.)
In November 1998, Nichimen President Mr. Akira Watari became the seventh president. In November 2001, Finance Minister Mr. Shaukat Aziz visited Japan as a special presidential envoy, and in March 2002, President Mr. Pervez Musharraf visited Japan as an official guest on a working visit, and we hosted and sponsored a welcome power breakfast and lunch for each visit. In October 2002, we also co-hosted a special symposium/Pakistan Festival to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan with the Pakistan Embassy in Japan.
When President Mr. Musharraf visited Japan for the first time on an official working visit in April 2002 at the invitation of the Japanese government, he met with his close friend, Mr. Imaizumi, Executive vice president of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Japan-Pakistan Economic Committee.
In April 2003, Mr. Shun Imaizumi, formerly of Komatsu Ltd. and Executive vice president of Komatsu Trading and president of K.I.J. ACCESS, became the 8th president. President Mr. Imaizumi holds a Master's degree in International Politics from the Graduate School of Political Science at Waseda University. He works closely with the Pakistani government and the embassy in Tokyo, contributing to cultural and economic exchange. He has also strengthened functions that are useful to corporate members, and has been successful in increasing membership. In February 2005, at the invitation of the Pakistani government, the association sent a mission (led by President Mr. Imaizumi) to visit the "Karachi EXPO," and the group met with President Mr. Musharraf and Prime Minister Mr. Aziz. In August of the same year, Prime Minister Mr. Aziz visited Japan as a guest of the Aichi EXPO, and cut the ribbon on Pakistan Day, which mainly unveiled the "Fasting Buddha" (replica) that was created for the Expo. President Mr. Imaizumi was invited as a representative of the private sector to a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Mr. Koizumi to welcome the Prime Minister, and played an important role in promoting exchanges between Japan and Pakistan. In October of the same year, the association collected donations from both corporate and individual members, and donated 4.7 million yen to Pakistan for the major earthquake in northern Pakistan.
In 2009 and 2011, President Mr. Zardari visited Japan as a guest on a working visit, and Mr. Imaizumi assisted in hosting a welcome luncheon for the Japan-Pakistan Economic Committee.
When Pakistan suffered its worst flooding since 2010, we quickly collected donations from corporate and individual members and presented 1.62 million yen to Pakistan.
In accordance with the new Public Interest Corporation Act, on April 1, 2013, our association transitioned to a public interest incorporated foundation with a higher level of public interest, and is working to further invigorate our business activities.
In 2017, President Mr. Imaizumi was awarded the Minister of Foreign Affairs' Commendation in recognition of his outstanding achievements in promoting friendship between Japan and Pakistan.
In 2018, Pakistani Advisor to Prime Minister Mr. Dawood visited Japan and deepened exchanges. In 2019, the Pakistani government awarded a medal to Representative Mr. Seishirou Eto, president of the Japan-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship League, and Foreign Minister Mr. Qureshi's visit to Japan also deepened friendship between Japan and Pakistan.
In November 3rd of 2021, our association's President Mr. Imaizumi was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette from the Emperor of Japan. This is the first time in the 75 years history of our association.
In June 2023, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Asad Majid Khan visited Japan, and a one-on-one meeting was realized, as he had been on friendly terms with him since his time as Pakistan's ambassador to Japan.
In July 2023, Foreign Minister Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited Japan and President Mr. Imaizumi delivered a welcoming speech on behalf of Japan at the welcome dinner.