Islamabad: The Government of Japan has awarded eleven (11) outstanding Pakistani students the esteemed MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan) Research Scholarships for the 2026 academic year. Besides the scholarships granted through the Embassy, numerous Pakistani students also secure MEXT scholarships annually through direct applications to Japanese universities.
These scholarships will enable the students to pursue Master’s and Doctoral degrees at leading Japanese universities, fostering academic excellence and strengthening bilateral ties. H.E. Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, hosted a reception at his official residence to honor the members of the MEXT Alumni Association of Pakistan (MAAP) and send-off to the fresh scholarship grantees.
Ambassador Akamatsu, while delivering his speech on the occasion, congratulated the scholarship recipients on their outstanding accomplishments and offered heartfelt best wishes for their studies at Japan’s top institutions. He underscored that Japan greatly values education and human resource development and has welcomed many talented Pakistani students over the decades through the MEXT scholarship program “As you prepare to leave for Japan, I encourage you to be curious, open-minded, and courageous. Learn not only from your professors and research, but also from everyday life, advised the Ambassador to the fresh scholarship grantees.
Turning to Japan-Pakistan relations, Ambassador Akamatsu stated that meaningful exchanges were realized through the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 held in Japan last year where Pakistan Pavillion attracted great attention and helped foster a stronger sense of closeness toward Pakistan among many young Japanese people.
The visits of several high-level Pakistani leaders during the Expo including Federal Ministers for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan significantly revitalized bilateral relations, said the Ambassador.
While spotlighting the three primary pillars shaping the future of Japan-Pakistan relations, the Ambassador outlined his key priorities that include expanding and deepening mutual understanding and cooperation through people to people exchanges, strengthening economic ties, and promoting Japanese cuisine.
In relation to expanding and deepening mutual understanding and cooperation through people to people exchanges, Ambassador Akamatsu noted that one of the things that has impressed him the most since he arrived in Pakistan is the trust and affection that the people of Pakistan have for Japan. This is the result of various factors such as 74 years of diplomatic relations, Japan’s support through ODA, the presence of Japanese companies, and the trust in Japanese products, said the Ambassador.
The Ambassador also mentioned that Pakistani youth is taking immense interest in Japan and noted that the number of young Pakistanis studying Japanese language has been increasing sharply their immense interest in pursuing higher education in Japan.
