Japanese Prime Minister Kishida visits Saudi Arabia and UAE during his Gulf trip

Asia-Pacific, Middle East, News July 18, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in the United Arab Emirates on July 17, 2023, after completing his trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Kishida is focusing on developing stronger economic ties during his three-day trip to the Gulf countries.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida met with the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. The bilateral meeting between the two leaders took place at Qasr Al Watan, following an official reception ceremony to mark the start of Prime Minister Kishida’s official visit to the UAE.

UAE President welcomed the Prime Minister of Japan, expressing his confidence that the visit would consolidate the robust and longstanding partnership between the two nations and support their shared vision for a sustainable and prosperous future.

During their bilateral meeting, the two leaders agreed to cooperate on technology and climate change, reaffirming their commitment to “enhancing cooperation on climate ambition, decarbonization, and clean energy.” UAE is set to host the COP28 UN Climate Change Summit in Dubai later this year.

^{Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan wear wristbands for the COP28 climate conference at a meeting in Abu Dhabi on July 17, 2023. (Image Credit: Reuters)}

Japan and UAE also agreed to set up a framework to discuss possible UAE investments in semiconductor and battery plants in Japan. Kishida and UAE President Al-Nahyan agreed to enhance partnerships in medicine and space and move forward with technical cooperation on producing green fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia.

Kishida’s trip to Jeddah

The Japanese Prime Minister kicked off his Middle East trip in Saudi Arabia where he arrived on July 16, 2023, and met with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The bilateral meeting focused on strengthening energy cooperation and developing strong economic ties.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that there are 110 Japanese companies operating in Saudi Arabia, and these companies will expand their projects in the Kingdom. He also emphasized that Japan will cooperate with Saudi Arabia in the field of semiconductors.

📹 | HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held an official session of talks. 🇸🇦🇯🇵

pic.twitter.com/aWyfaLtqs5
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) July 16, 2023

“We will work with Saudi Arabia to strengthen the energy sector. Japan is committed to enhancing joint investments with Saudi Arabia, and we will support Saudi Arabia with modern technology to obtain clean energy,” he said, emphasizing that Japan is keen to make Saudi Arabia its major destination in the mining sector.

“We continue to guarantee oil supply to Japan and maintain our position as the most reliable partner,” Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said following the meeting between Japanese and Saudi leaders. “Saudi is Japan’s biggest oil exporter fulfilling 40 percent of its total needs,” he added.

Japan is the fifth-largest oil consumer in the world and relies on imports to meet around 97% of its demand. It imports more than 75% of its crude oil from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry statement, “Both leaders agreed to further energize exchanges, which cover politics, diplomacy, and security, between the two countries,” adding that Tokyo and Riyadh are starting a new foreign minister-level “strategic dialogue”.

*^{Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman walking alongside Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Jeddah, KSA. (Image Credit: Twitter/Saudi Arabia Foreign Ministry)}*

Prior to his meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince, Kishida met with Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Al-Budaiwi. Kishida confirmed the need to hold regular meetings of foreign ministers with the GCC and resume negotiations on a free trade agreement that is hoped to be concluded by the end of 2024.

The Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida would make a final stop in Qatar before concluding his trip to the Middle East.