Asia Web3 Alliance: AWAJ Brings Governments, Startups and Investors Together at Tokyo Summit

The Asia Web3 Alliance (AWAJ) brought together government officials, startup founders and investors at the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo on 15 July to strengthen technology cooperation between Pakistan and Japan and promote cross-border innovation.

The Tokyo-based alliance, led by President Hinza Asif, hosted Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Digital Affairs Kawasaki Hideto, Pakistan’s Federal Secretary for IT and Telecommunication Zarrar Hasham Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Japan Abdul Hameed, Trade and Investment Counsellor Madiha Ali, venture capital experts and entrepreneurs from both countries.

The summit focused on creating stronger links between policymakers, entrepreneurs and investors. Organisers said successful technology partnerships require regulatory support, access to investment and a thriving startup ecosystem to work together.

Speaking during the event, Hinza Asif said no single institution could build a lasting Pakistan–Japan innovation corridor alone. She stressed that governments create the policy framework, startups drive innovation and investors provide the capital needed to scale new businesses.

Asif also highlighted Japan’s Startup Visa programme and the country’s growing demand for skilled technology professionals. She said these developments create significant opportunities for Pakistani founders, software engineers and AI specialists seeking to expand into the Japanese market.

Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Digital Affairs, Kawasaki Hideto, outlined the country’s digital strategy during his keynote address, Creating the Digital Future: Startup Co-Creation in the AI & Web3 Era. He highlighted recent reforms, including updated data protection laws, the rollout of yen-backed stablecoins, changes to digital asset regulations and Japan’s continued support for AI and Web3 innovation.

He said combining Japan’s technological expertise with Pakistan’s young workforce could help create what he described as a “new Digital Silk Road.”

Joining the summit via video link, Pakistan’s Federal Secretary for IT and Telecommunication Zarrar Hasham Khan said the country’s IT exports are expected to exceed $4.5 billion, while freelance earnings have reached $1.1 billion. He noted that Pakistan has more than 26,000 IT companies, produces over 75,000 graduates annually from more than 260 universities, and exports technology services to more than 170 countries.

He invited Japanese companies to collaborate with Pakistan through remote service delivery, offshore software development and skilled technology recruitment.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Japan Abdul Hameed told participants that Pakistan’s young, English-speaking workforce complements Japan’s innovation ambitions. Trade and Investment Counsellor Madiha Ali served as master of ceremonies throughout the event.

The investment panel featured 500 Global mentor and venture capital adviser Jonathan T., alongside Tomoko Takasaki of Ibex Japan KK and Antler Ibex. The discussion explored investment readiness, startup acceleration, venture capital and corporate innovation partnerships between the two countries.

Participants also highlighted Japan’s projected shortage of hundreds of thousands of IT engineers by 2030, describing Pakistan’s expanding technology workforce as an opportunity to address future industry demand.

AWAJ said it will continue working with the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo to institutionalise cooperation through investment facilitation, corporate-startup partnerships, talent mobility programmes and sustained government-to-government engagement.