Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari visited Japan from Feb. 21 to Feb. 23, and he and Prime Minister Naoto Kan issued a joint statement on bilateral comprehensive partnership. In their meeting, Mr. Kan stressed that the role Pakistan is playing to stabilize Afghanistan is very important.
It is believed that many al-Qaida and Taliban elements exist on the Pakistan side of the border shared with Afghanistan. Stabilization of the security situation and building of a strong economic foundation in Pakistan is indispensable not only for Pakistan's sustainable economic development but also for stabilization of Afghanistan. Since Pakistan possesses nuclear weapons, its stabilization and peaceful development are essential in ensuring stabilization of the whole South Asia.
Japan has pushed a plan to provide up to $1 billion in two years from 2009 to Pakistan to help it strengthen its security measures and carry out economic reform. Mr. Kan told Mr. Zardari that Japan will also provide loans of some ¥15 billion to repair agricultural roads in Pakistan as part of its assistance to Pakistan's recovery efforts following last year's devastating floods. Mr. Zardari called for more Japanese investment in his country, saying that deepening of economic ties between the two countries will contribute to regional stabilization. He and Mr. Kan agreed to review measures to strengthen such ties.