KARACHI: Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Akamatsu Shuichi said Japanese automotive manufacturers have created more than 100,000 jobs in the country and localised a majority of their supply chains.
Speaking at the Japan-Pakistan Business Seminar 2026 in Islamabad on Tuesday, the ambassador highlighted Tokyo’s long-term industrial footprint in the country and said that Japanese carmakers operating in Pakistan have achieved parts localisation rates exceeding 60 per cent. Per the ambassador, the companies will continue to invest in new technologies to support industrial upgrading and reduce environmental impact.
“Countries capable of manufacturing automobiles are limited,” he said, adding that the sector’s contribution to Pakistan’s economy would remain significant.
The seminar, attended by around 100 participants including senior Pakistani officials, business leaders and representatives of Japanese firms, focused on strengthening bilateral commercial ties. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan attended as chief guest and acknowledged Japan’s contribution to the country’s industrial development.
Discussions during the event centred on Japan’s post-war economic transformation and the evolution of business relations between the two countries. Panellists highlighted Japan’s emphasis on long-term investment in human capital rather than short-term profit maximisation, suggesting lessons for Pakistan’s growth strategy.
A second session brought together Japanese automotive manufacturers and Pakistani parts suppliers. Company representatives outlined production practices such as Kaizen and 5S management principles, as well as workforce training, as central to maintaining quality and scale.
Participants also discussed the sector’s future direction, including hybrid vehicle adoption, investment in alternative fuels such as biogas, and further improvements in vehicle safety standards.
Japanese organisations including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), and members of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Pakistan were represented at the event.
