July 18, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and Japan agreed to deepen cooperation in
\nartificial intelligence, Web3 and digital technologies, as the Embassy of
\nPakistan in Tokyo, in collaboration with the Asia Web3 Alliance Japan (AWAJ), organized
\na startup.<\/p>\n
The innovation event brought together representatives from government,
\nindustry, technology companies, investors and the startup ecosystems of both
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan, Abdul Hameed, delivering the keynote
\naddress, said technology and innovation were becoming increasingly important in
\nPakistan-Japan economic relations, highlighting the country’s expanding digital
\neconomy, skilled technology workforce and entrepreneurial potential, and called
\nfor stronger partnerships between institutions, companies, investors and
\nstartup communities of the two countries.<\/p>\n
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Digital Affairs, Japan, Hideto Kawasaki,
\ndelivered the keynote presentation titled “Creating the Digital Future:
\nStartup Co-Creation in the AI & Web3 Era,” outlining Japan’s vision
\nfor digital transformation, including policy developments relating to AI, Web3,
\ntrusted cross-border data flows and digital innovation, APP reported.<\/p>\n
He said Japan’s technology and innovation ecosystem and Pakistan’s
\ngrowing digital talent were complementary, and called for closer collaboration
\nbetween startups, technology companies and innovation institutions in both
\ncountries to build a new “Digital Silk Road” through innovation and
\nemerging technologies.<\/p>\n
Secretary, Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication,
\nZarrar Hasham Khan, presented the Ministry’s Tech Destination Pakistan
\ninitiative, highlighting the country’s technology talent pool and growing
\nstartup ecosystem as opportunities to strengthen Pakistan-Japan cooperation in
\ndigital innovation.<\/p>\n
He said Pakistan’s greatest competitive advantage lay in its young and
\nhighly skilled digital workforce, and encouraged greater collaboration between
\nthe two countries in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n
The programme concluded with a panel discussion titled “Building
\nPakistan-Japan Startup and Innovation Ecosystem Partnerships,” featuring
\nJonathan T., 500 Global Mentor, Venture Capital Advisor and Startup Accelerator
\nProgramme Leader, and Tomoko Takasaki, Head of Web3 Innovation Platform at Ibex
\nJapan KK and Senior Manager at Antler Ibex, moderated by Hinza Asif, President
\nof the Asia Web3 Alliance Japan.<\/p>\n
The panel discussed investor readiness, cross-cultural communication and
\nmarket entry strategies for Pakistani startups seeking to engage with Japan,
\nalong with the role of accelerator programmes such as the AI Founder Programme,
\npractical approaches to connecting Pakistani founders with Japanese investors
\nand industry partners, and the importance of closer international cooperation
\non AI governance, data security and regulatory frameworks.<\/p>\n
The Embassy encouraged Pakistani startups, technology companies,
\nuniversities, business associations and relevant public institutions to engage
\nproactively with Japan’s innovation ecosystem by strengthening investor
\nreadiness, participating in accelerator programmes and developing partnerships
\naligned with Japanese market requirements.<\/p>\n
It reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating technology partnerships,
\nstartup linkages and innovation-led economic cooperation, and said it looked
\nforward to working with public and private sector stakeholders in both
\ncountries to translate the discussions into concrete partnerships, investment
\nopportunities and long-term collaboration in innovation and digital
\ntechnologies.<\/p>\n