ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said that it backs Saudi Arabia in its row with Canada, and that it stands by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in protecting its sovereignty.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Dr. Mohammed Faisal said on Thursday that Pakistan was following with immense concern the "crisis" in relations between Saudi Arabia and Canada, and also that Pakistan, “places on record its solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
“We fully agree with the statement of the OIC secretary-general that Saudi Arabia enjoys immense respect at the regional and international level as it does among the people of Pakistan.”
Dr. Faisal said that Pakistan always supported the sovereignty of states and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, adding that both these aspects are enshrined in the UN Charter and are among the basic tenets of international law as well as the foundation of peaceful and friendly inter-state relations.
“Pakistan stands by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in protecting its sovereignty as a matter of principle and based on the historic and brotherly relations between our two countries,” Dr. Faisal added.
Pakistan backs Saudi Arabia in Canada row
Pakistan backs Saudi Arabia in Canada row
- Pakistan always supported the sovereignty of states and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states
- 'Pakistan stands by Saudi Arabia in protecting its sovereignty as a matter of principle and based on the historic and brotherly relations between our two countries'
Japan consulate in Jeddah celebrates emperor’s birthday, highlights strong cultural and economic ties
- In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Yamamoto highlighted the growing cultural exchange between the two nations
JEDDAH: The consulate general of Japan in Saudi Arabia celebrated the upcoming birthday of Japanese Emperor Naruhito with a reception at the residence of the consul general Daisuke Yamamoto in Jeddah on Thursday night.
The event was attended by Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, governor of Jeddah; Farid bin Saad Al-Shehri, director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Makkah Region; Saleh Ali Al-Turki, mayor of Jeddah; and other Saudi officials, diplomats, business leaders, and members of the local community.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Yamamoto highlighted the growing cultural exchange between the two nations.
“The relationship between Japan and Saudi Arabia is particularly strong in the cultural field. Saudi people are very fond of Japanese pop culture, especially anime and manga, and many are motivated to learn Japanese just to enjoy the original works,” he said.
Yamamoto noted that while enthusiasm is high, challenges remain in expanding language education. “Currently, we don’t have a dedicated Japanese language institute in Jeddah. Some institutes exist in Riyadh, but here people mostly study Japanese on their own, which is difficult without interacting with native speakers. Establishing a permanent institute is one of our goals, but we cannot do it alone; we need Saudi partners,” he explained.
During his speech at the reception, Yamamoto said: “Japan is Saudi Arabia’s third-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade reached $36 billion by the end of 2024, reflecting a 50-percent increase since 2016. Many Japanese companies are investing directly in the Kingdom, across sectors such as petrochemicals, energy, automobiles, electronics, and titanium production.” He also encouraged Saudi investors to explore opportunities in Japan’s market.
He also highlighted recent initiatives designed to strengthen cultural ties, including the three-day Hayy Matsuri Japanese cultural festival at Hayy Jameel, which welcomed more than 12,000 visitors, and a two-day Kabuki performance organized in partnership with the Historic Jeddah Project and teamLab. “These cultural exchanges offer a chance for Saudis to experience Japan firsthand, from traditional arts to contemporary innovations,” he said.
Yamamoto welcomed the Kingdom’s participation in upcoming international events in Japan, including the 2026 Asian and Paralympic Games in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture, as well as the GREEN×EXPO 2027 in Yokohama.
The evening concluded with a ceremonial cake cutting alongside a showcase of Japanese cuisine.
Reflecting on the broader Japan–Saudi relationship, Yamamoto praised the enduring friendship between the two nations.
“Our countries share a history of partnership that spans generations. Celebrations like today not only honor the emperor’s birthday, but also reinforce the enduring collaboration and mutual respect between our peoples,” he said.
He expressed hope for continued growth in cultural, educational, and economic collaboration, emphasizing the strong foundations laid under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
