Japanese Emperor’s 66th Birthday Celebrated in Karachi

By: Aziz Khatri

KARACHI: The Consul General of Japan in Karachi, HATTORI Masaru, hosted the Emperor’s Birthday Reception (National Day Celebration) on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the Marriott Hotel, Karachi, to commemorate the 66th birthday of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito.

The prestigious event was attended by a large number of distinguished guests from diplomatic, political, business, academic, and cultural circles. The chief guests on the occasion included Governor Sindh H.E. Muhammad Kamran Khan Tessori and Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani, along with other notable personalities.

In his welcome remarks, Consul General Hattori expressed his pleasure at hosting his third national day reception in Karachi. He highlighted the longstanding and cordial relations between Japan and Pakistan and underscored recent efforts aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation. Reaffirming Japan’s commitment to deepening ties with Pakistan, he emphasized collaboration with both federal and provincial governments to promote mutual development and prosperity.

Consul General Hattori also acknowledged Japan’s significant contributions to Pakistan’s socio-economic development, particularly in the areas of disaster risk reduction, healthcare, and education.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Sindh Muhammad Kamran Khan Tessori extended heartfelt congratulations to the Japanese government and people on their national day. He appreciated Japan’s support for Pakistani workers and students residing in Japan and praised the country’s role in promoting sustainable development and mutual cooperation. The governor further stressed the importance of enhancing collaboration between Sindh and Japan across various sectors.

The celebration featured elegant displays of Ikebana and Bonsai, offering guests a glimpse into Japan’s rich cultural and aesthetic traditions. The evening concluded with a ceremonial cake-cutting followed by a dinner serving Japanese and Pakistani cuisines, symbolizing the enduring friendship and strong ties between the two nations.