According to the undocumented memories of Hafiz S. A. Rehman, the early years of the Pakistan Japan Cultural Association were marked by warm and informal cultural exchanges between Pakistan and Japan.

Whenever Japanese youth delegations visited Islamabad during the late 1970s and early 1980s, members of PJCA actively hosted and engaged with them. One of the regular responsibilities was to accompany visiting Japanese guests on visits to downtown Rawalpindi, offering them an opportunity to experience the local culture and daily life.

On many occasions, PJCA members arranged overnight stays and dinners with association members, creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for the guests. Gifts were also organized as a token of goodwill and cultural appreciation.

In addition to these social activities, lectures and discussions were arranged at the Islamabad Marriott Hotel, where visiting dignitaries from Japan and Pakistan shared their experiences and perspectives on cultural cooperation.

These activities reflected the spirit of people-to-people diplomacy that characterized PJCA from its early years. The association also takes pride in being one of the first organizations formally registered under the law in Pakistan dedicated to promoting cultural understanding between Pakistan and Japan.

Cultural Activities and Community Engagement in the Early Years

According to the undocumented memories of Hafiz S. A. Rehman, the Pakistan Japan Cultural Association organized a variety of cultural activities during its early years to strengthen people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Japan.

One of the regular events was the annual Japanese Calendar Exhibition, which was held at the Islamabad Hotel. The exhibition attracted visitors interested in Japanese art, culture, and design.

PJCA also hosted formal dinners to welcome newly appointed Japanese ambassadors and to bid farewell to outgoing ambassadors, providing an opportunity for members and diplomats to interact in a cordial setting and further deepen cultural understanding.

Another notable activity was the monthly screening of Japanese documentary films, organized at the auditorium of the Embassy of Japan in Pakistan. These screenings were attended by approximately 100 to 150 guests from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, reflecting the strong interest among local audiences in Japanese culture and society.

Such initiatives played an important role in fostering cultural appreciation and dialogue between the people of Pakistan and Japan during the formative years of the Association.