TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya will visit Saudi Arabia on April 30 and May 1 on a trip that will also take him to the United Nations in New York and Senegal in Africa.
Following on from the Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in February, Iwaya will exchange views closely with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud to discuss issues such as the situation in Gaza, Syria, Iran and the Red Sea, as well as strengthening coordination between Japan and Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries, a high-ranking Foreign Ministry official told Arab News Japan.
The official stated that Japan considers Saudi Arabia to be the leader of the Arab-Islamic world, as it is home to two of Islam’s holiest sites, Makkah and Madinah. Additionally, Saudi Arabia is the only Arab nation that is a member of the G20. With its abundant oil resources, the country plays a significant role in OPEC. “Given the current instability in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia serves as a crucial stabilizing force in the region and maintains a strong relationship with the United States,” he said.
Japan aims to strengthen its diverse economic relationship with Saudi Arabia, extending beyond their existing energy partnership. This visit is expected to speed up the efforts to finalize the Japan-GCC Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations that resumed last year. Additionally, Japan is committed to supporting Saudi Arabia’s goals for decarbonization and industrial diversification as part of “Saudi Vision 2030.”
Japan also acknowledges the role of Saudi Arabia in the international community, which seems to have strong connections with the Trump administration and Russia.
In February, the second Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue was held in Tokyo between Minister Iwaya and Minister Faisal. The most recent visit by a Japanese Foreign Minister to Saudi Arabia occurred in September 2023.
In February, the second Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue was held in Tokyo between Minister Iwaya (R) and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (L). (ANJ)
Japan’s relationship with Saudi Arabia has a long history, with Japan importing approximately 40 percent of its crude oil from Saudi Arabia. This makes Saudi Arabia Japan’s most important partner for energy security. As we approach the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2025, this visit is particularly significant, the Japanese official said.
In February, during Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal’s visit to Japan, the two countries signed an agreement to establish the “Strategic Partnership Council (SPC),” which will be co-chaired by the leaders of both nations.
“As we prepare for the SPC, the visit aims to reinforce cooperation in various areas, including politics, economy, security, and culture. The two countries will also solidify their collaboration for the upcoming Expo in Riyadh in 2030, which is a promising sign for the future of Japan-Saudi relations.”
Iwaya’s visit to the United Nations coincides with the final session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which takes place every five years. This event marks the first time in seven years that a Foreign Minister has attended such a meeting.
To ensure that next year’s NPT Review Conference produces positive results, Japan aims to take a leading role in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The country will advocate for dialogue and collaboration among states and parties to work towards creating a world without nuclear weapons, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Japan is actively engaging in discussions with UN officials to enhance collaboration with the United Nations, focusing on strengthening its functions and addressing global challenges.
Regarding its relationship with Senegal, Japan’s Foreign Ministry highlights that Japan and Senegal are strategically important partners. Japan is dedicated to contributing to the “Senegal 2050” initiative, emphasizing human resource development.
Senegal serves as a key base for Japanese companies in French-speaking West Africa. In 2024, oil and natural gas production began, resulting in an increase in the number of Japanese companies operating in Senegal.
