<P> Nevertheless, Pakistan remained high on the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) program and revived around 18 percent of assistance disbursed during 1961 - 71 . War in the former East Pakistan and Japanese Red Cross's (Seki Juji) assistance to refugees who fled to calcutta in India, however, created differences between Pakistan and Japan . Japan viewed the crisis in East Pakistan on the basis of Bengali nationalism and supported it . On the other hand, Japan did not support the Vietnamese self - determination . Japan did not adopt complete neutrality toward the issue of East Pakistan unlike it maintained on Kashmir . Japanese political parties and social groups etc. rendered support for the cause of the creation of Bangladesh . Soon war broke out in East Pakistan; Japan closed its Consulate - General in Dhaka and cut - off aid to Pakistan (and also to India). Japan recognized Bangladesh within two months on 10 February 1972, inviting more Pakistan's criticism . Half of Japan's loans were consumed in East Pakistan and it refused to honor and payback those loans as Japan recognized Bangladesh before Pakistan made any decision . </P> <P> Moreover, Pakistan's anti-West stance in the 1970s under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his industrial nationalization policy resulted in the decline of Pakistan - Japan diplomatic interaction and decreased interest of Japan entrepreneurs . No high level exchange was taken place during this period . In spite of these strategic changes in Pakistan's foreign relations, Japan continued to be an important destination of Pakistan's trade . Furthermore, the normalization of the Sino - Japan ties in the 1970s sent a positive message to promoting Pakistan - Japan ties, which were further strengthened during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in 1979 . The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan renewed the moment of Pakistan - Japan ties once again . High level exchanges were made . Japan saw a common danger of the presence of Soviet forces in Afghanistan . Japan's energy lane passing through the Gulf could be jeopardizing if Soviets come to the warm - water ports in the Arabian Sea . Therefore, Japan extended full diplomatic and political support to Pakistan . </P> <P> President General Muhammad Zia ul Haq visited Japan on 17--22 July 1983 . Reciprocating, Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone visited Pakistan on 30 April 3 - May 1984, first by a Japanese Minister in 23 years . His visit clearly indicated that Japan endorsed Pakistan's policy toward Afghanistan . This was the revival of the Cold War understandings . After the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989, Japan focused more on Pakistan nuclear ambitions at a time when Pakistan just devised the' Look East policy' with an aim to emulate the example of Japan and other East Asian countries to up - lift its economy after it was badly shattered during the war in Afghanistan . </P> <P> Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto attended the funeral ceremony of Emperor Showa in February 1989 . Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu visited Pakistan on 2--3 May 1990, the first by a Japanese leader after the demise of the Cold War . He also wanted to mediate in the complicated issues between Pakistan and India as Japan became assertive after the end of the crisis in Afghanistan . Another notable diplomatic visit was undertaken by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan to Japan in November 1990 to participate in the coronation ceremony of the Emperor . </P>

Japan and pakistan are in europe or asia