Tokyo (July 9, 2013) – Ambassador Farukh Amil(فاروق عامل) called on Mr. Asahina Yutaka, President and senior executives members of the Editorial board of Mainichi Shimbun – another main newspaper of Japan, with a circulation of the 4.4 million daily. They discussed the heritage of friendship, culture, trade and politics between Pakistan and Japan. The Ambassador highlighted the strong history of business relations with the presence of a Japanese bank in Karachi since 1925.
Mr. Asahina expressed gratitude for the help and assistance of Pakistan during the Great East Japan Earthquake. He appreciated the significant role played by Pakistani expatriates in Japan in reaching out to earthquake victims. Mr. Yutaka praised the film “Chair on the Grass” highlighting the association of Mainichi Shimbun with the author of the novel on which the film is based.
Mr. Asahina said that the transition of power from one democratically elected government to another in Pakistan, in a transparent and peaceful manner, was greatly welcomed. In addition to this important milestone in the democratic development of Pakistan, the Government was focused on mega-infrastructural projects and the energy sector. The business oriented Government, he said, was keen to expand ties with key economies such as Japan.
The Ambassador expressed deep appreciation to the people and Government of Japan for their help and assistance to Pakistan, rendered with respect and in accordance with human dignity, over the last six decades. The Ambassador urged the President, Mainichi Shimbun to hire one or two graduate students in media/communications from Pakistan as interns in the newspaper where they could develop their expertise.