Pakistan, Japan explore startup, innovation partnerships

July 18, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and Japan agreed to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, Web3 and digital technologies, as the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo, in collaboration with the Asia Web3 Alliance Japan (AWAJ), organized a startup.

The innovation event brought together representatives from government, industry, technology companies, investors and the startup ecosystems of both countries.

Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan, Abdul Hameed, delivering the keynote address, said technology and innovation were becoming increasingly important in Pakistan-Japan economic relations, highlighting the country's expanding digital economy, skilled technology workforce and entrepreneurial potential, and called for stronger partnerships between institutions, companies, investors and startup communities of the two countries.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Digital Affairs, Japan, Hideto Kawasaki, delivered the keynote presentation titled "Creating the Digital Future: Startup Co-Creation in the AI & Web3 Era," outlining Japan's vision for digital transformation, including policy developments relating to AI, Web3, trusted cross-border data flows and digital innovation, APP reported.

He said Japan's technology and innovation ecosystem and Pakistan's growing digital talent were complementary, and called for closer collaboration between startups, technology companies and innovation institutions in both countries to build a new "Digital Silk Road" through innovation and emerging technologies.

Secretary, Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Zarrar Hasham Khan, presented the Ministry's Tech Destination Pakistan initiative, highlighting the country's technology talent pool and growing startup ecosystem as opportunities to strengthen Pakistan-Japan cooperation in digital innovation.

He said Pakistan's greatest competitive advantage lay in its young and highly skilled digital workforce, and encouraged greater collaboration between the two countries in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The programme concluded with a panel discussion titled "Building Pakistan-Japan Startup and Innovation Ecosystem Partnerships," featuring Jonathan T., 500 Global Mentor, Venture Capital Advisor and Startup Accelerator Programme Leader, and Tomoko Takasaki, Head of Web3 Innovation Platform at Ibex Japan KK and Senior Manager at Antler Ibex, moderated by Hinza Asif, President of the Asia Web3 Alliance Japan.

The panel discussed investor readiness, cross-cultural communication and market entry strategies for Pakistani startups seeking to engage with Japan, along with the role of accelerator programmes such as the AI Founder Programme, practical approaches to connecting Pakistani founders with Japanese investors and industry partners, and the importance of closer international cooperation on AI governance, data security and regulatory frameworks.

The Embassy encouraged Pakistani startups, technology companies, universities, business associations and relevant public institutions to engage proactively with Japan's innovation ecosystem by strengthening investor readiness, participating in accelerator programmes and developing partnerships aligned with Japanese market requirements.

It reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating technology partnerships, startup linkages and innovation-led economic cooperation, and said it looked forward to working with public and private sector stakeholders in both countries to translate the discussions into concrete partnerships, investment opportunities and long-term collaboration in innovation and digital technologies.

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