ISLAMABAD  -  Japan is expanding employment pathways for Pakistani professionals, recognising their growing contribution to the Japanese economy and bilateral relations, said Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi at a stakeholder meeting on Friday.

The Pakistan-Japan Human Resources Stakeholders Meeting, held at the ambassador’s residence in Islamabad, brought together over 70 participants from government and private sectors in both countries.

Among the attendees were Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis Mohammad Awn Saqlain, and representatives from key organisations such as Plus W, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan-Pakistan Innovation Institute (JPII), and Japan Station.

The meeting explored ways to integrate skilled Pakistani workers into high-demand sectors in Japan, including information technology, healthcare, agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. Focus areas included institutional linkages, workforce preparedness, and deployment pathways.

Akamatsu Shuichi described Pakistani talent as a vital pillar of bilateral ties, noting increasing demand for high-quality human resources. “This collaboration will benefit both nations, strengthening Japan’s labour market and contributing to Pakistan’s economy through remittances and skills development,” he said.

He also highlighted the Pakistan Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, constructed with pink Himalayan salt, as a cultural bridge and symbol of growing interest in Pakistan among Japanese citizens.

Chaudhry Salik Hussain commended the expansion of the Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) programme and praised the partnership between the Overseas Employment Corporation and Plus W.

Shaza Fatima Khawaja shared that Pakistani IT firms secured over $600,000 in contracts during April’s Japan IT Week and called for extending Japan’s JDS scholarship programme to cover IT and telecom sectors.

Speakers from JICA, JETRO, Plus W, the Overseas Employment Corporation, and a bilingual Pakistani student studying in Japan discussed ways to deepen workforce integration and people-to-people ties.

The event concluded with a joint commitment to long-term collaboration in human capital development and cross-border mobility.