In a telephone conversation, the two Prime Ministers expressed their desire to deepen bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Japan
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday praised Pakistan’s diplomatic role in facilitating US-Iran talks during a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders discussed the recently held “Islamabad Talks” between the United States and Iran, hosted by Pakistan. Takaichi appreciated Pakistan’s role in supporting the diplomatic process, saying it was important for regional stability and global energy security.
She expressed Japan’s “full support for the peace process and its importance for regional stability and global energy security,” the statement said.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif today received a phone call from HE Mrs. Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan.
During their warm and cordial conversation, the two leaders discussed the recent Islamabad talks between the United States and Iran, hosted by… pic.twitter.com/9oLAMPiF2L
– Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) April 13, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked the Japanese leader for his goodwill, noting that he was grateful to the American and Iranian delegations for their “in-depth discussions in Islamabad.” He said Pakistan would continue its efforts to ensure the ceasefire was maintained, he added.
The Prime Minister also expressed the desire to further strengthen Pakistan-Japan bilateral cooperation, a sentiment shared by the Japanese Prime Minister. The two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination in the future.
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The call comes a day after the United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement to end their war despite marathon negotiations that lasted about 21 hours. The protracted talks, aimed at ending hostilities that have left thousands dead and sent global oil prices soaring over the past six weeks, have resulted in both sides blaming each other for the impasse.
On Saturday, American and Iranian delegations arrived in Pakistan for conclusive negotiations after an immediate two-week ceasefire “everywhere, including Lebanon”, announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz, who then invited delegations from both countries to Islamabad.
The Iranian delegation was led by President Bagher Ghalibaf and assisted by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the US delegation was led by Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on February 28, killing thousands of people in Iran, including then-supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and injuring tens of thousands, including civilian areas, including residential buildings and religious sites.
The conflict has also expanded geographically. Iran responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. It also restricted the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
