Dr Mohammad Amin went on the Japanese government’s MEXT scholarship to Japan in 1971 and afterwards obtained a PhD from the Waseda University in Tokyo.

Fluent in Japanese, Dr Amin was the first person to produce a Japanese-to-Urdu dictionary in 1988, and also founded the Department of Philosophy at Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan.

The government of Japan recently conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette upon Dr Amin. Dawn caught up with him to talk about his work.

Q: What sparked your interest in Japanese language and literature?

A: I have been interested in literary activities since childhood and have authored 35 books on various subjects, such as philosophy, Sufism, Urdu and Punjabi poetry and of them 12 books are about Japanese language, literature and culture.

I got an opportunity to study in Japan on a scholarship provided by the government of Japan in 1971 more than 45 years ago.

In Tokyo, I learnt Japanese for the first six months, as was the practice, and then elected to train for another year because of my own interest. I became more engrossed in Japanese literature as I understood its nuances and my research in sociology brought me closer to the culture.

Q: How has the engagement with Japan helped you?

A: The exposure to and education in Japan contributed to both my career trajectory and intellect. Professionally, the degrees helped me at every step as foreign education is given much importance. Intellectually, it enriched my knowledge and widened my horizons. It brought me to a point where I was a specialist in language, literature and culture.

Q: You’ve just received a commendation from the government of Japan. What was this for?

A: I have been awarded this commendation for my contributions towards promoting Japan-Pakistan relations through language and literature. The literary tradition of translating from Japanese into Urdu and from Urdu into Japanese should continue as it is a good way to enhance bilateral relations and develop greater understanding between the two cultures and societies.

I have written numerous books on Japan: three are collections of my haiku in Urdu; I am considered the pioneer of the Urdu haiku. Two are critical studies on writing the haiku in Urdu and Japanese. Three of the books are about the language including a Japanese-Urdu reader, a dictionary and a pocket-size Urdu-Japanese farhang or dictionary. Two of my books are translations, one of poetry and the other of dramas. I have also published a collection of Japanese haiku.

Currently I am still writing creative haiku in Urdu and I am planning to publish a compilation of my articles. I would also like to re-print my haiku study with additions.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2019