TOKYO: Japan and Saudi Arabia were engaged in high-level diplomatic discussions wherein the focus was on deepening bilateral ties and addressing regional security concerns, the Foreign Ministry said.
On July 27, Hiroyuki Namazu, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, met with Eng. Waleed El-Khereiji, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia.
Under the Japan–Saudi Strategic Partnership, the two sides agreed to expand cooperation across a wide range of sectors that include political affairs, security, energy, advanced technologies, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as next-generation energy development, critical minerals, space, healthcare, entertainment, and academic and research cooperation.
The discussions also covered regional and international issues including the situation in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East, specifically the Red Sea.
Both nations emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation in the Middle East, the importance of ensuring free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and the recent tensions involving Iran, which caused human and material damage in Saudi Arabia.
The diplomatic engagement continued on Tuesday when Dr. Ayano Kunimitsu, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, received a courtesy call from Vice Minister El-Khereiji. During this meeting, State Minister Kunimitsu expressed sympathy for the damage Saudi Arabia sustained amid the recent tensions involving Iran.
State Minister Kunimitsu highlighted that the partnership between Japan and Saudi Arabia has evolved significantly. She expressed a desire to further strengthen these ties through the Strategic Partnership Council and the Japan-Saudi Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue.
Furthermore, State Minister Kunimitsu thanked Saudi Arabia for its role in maintaining regional stability and ensuring a stable global energy supply.
In response, Vice Minister El-Khereiji outlined strategies to deepen the partnership and detailed Saudi Arabia’s ongoing diplomatic mediation efforts. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working closely to promote peace and stability in the region.
