What to expect as Japan’s PM Kishida begins tour of Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar

1 / 3
The Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 is a cooperation framework that has existed since 2016, helping to boost bilateral trade relations. (Reuters / file photo)
Short Url
Updated 17 July 2023
Follow

What to expect as Japan’s PM Kishida begins tour of Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar

  • Tour intended to develop Japan’s ties with GCC nations and build cooperation in various fields
  • Energy security, green technologies to top the agenda on Kishida’s first Middle East visit

TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida begins a tour of the Middle East on Sunday — the first by a Japanese leader since the late Shinzo Abe paid a visit in 2020.

Kishida will arrive in Saudi Arabia on July 16 before traveling to the UAE and finally Qatar on July 18.

The trip is intended to help Japan develop its ties with Gulf Cooperation Council countries and build cooperation in various fields, particularly energy.




Japan Prime Minister Kishida Fumio embarks on his first middle East tour with stops in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, starting on Sunday and lasting three days. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are responsible for more than 80 percent of Japan’s total crude oil imports, with the Kingdom representing 40.68 percent as of the beginning of the year.

Amid Russia’s war with Ukraine, which has caused energy supply concerns, Kishida is expected to urge the Arab countries to stabilize the oil market by increasing production.

With the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) taking place in the UAE later this year, Kishida also plans to discuss cooperation on cutting greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the transition to hydrogen power.

Japan is actively developing greener and renewable energy technologies as it wants to be carbon neutral by 2050.

Kishida will also try to promote Japanese know-how, as energy-producing countries also have ambitious green targets.

In 2022, Saudi Arabia and Japan signed a memorandum of cooperation in the fields of circular carbon economy, carbon recycling, clean hydrogen, and ammonia fuel.

In March, Japanese trading house Marubeni Corp. agreed to study clean hydrogen production in Saudi Arabia together with the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, as Riyadh is looking to add other types of energy sources, including cleaner fuels and renewables, to diversify its economy.

Kishida had planned to visit the three countries last year, but his tour was called off after he contracted COVID-19.

On July 13, Matsuno Hirokazu, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, said that the war in Ukraine and other international issues would feature on the agenda during Kishida’s meetings on his Middle East tour.

Matsuno said a delegation of Japanese businesspeople would also be joining Kishida on his trip, which would help Japanese companies expand investment opportunities in the region.

During his visit, the prime minister will also hold meetings with the leaders of these countries to discuss a wide range of topics, such as bilateral relations, a foreign ministry statement said.

“Through this visit, Prime Minister Kishida intends to confirm cooperation with each country in various fields, including energy, and to promote the maintenance and enhancement of the free and open international order based on the rule of law in light of the outcome of the G7 Hiroshima Summit,” the statement added.

Kishida is scheduled to depart Tokyo and arrive at Jeddah on Sunday, where he will take part in a Saudi-Japan summit and other meetings with Saudi officials.


READ MORE: Kishida’s Arab Tour


On Monday, he will depart from Jeddah and head to Abu Dhabi, where he will attend a Japan-UAE summit and other meetings. He will then head to Doha on Tuesday, where the Japan-Qatar summit, among other bilateral meetings, will be held.

He is scheduled to arrive back in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Kishida’s predecessor Abe undertook a similar tour in 2020, visiting Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman. During his time in the Kingdom, he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in AlUla, where they discussed regional developments.




Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receiving then Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in  AlUla on January 12, 2020. (SPA)

At the time, tensions with Iran were on the rise. However, Kishida is now visiting at a time when diplomatic ties have been restored between Riyadh and Tehran following an agreement brokered by China.

Abe also promised that Japan would fully support the crown prince’s reform efforts through Saudi-Japan Vision 2030, a cooperation framework that has existed since 2016.

The crown prince expressed full support at the time for Japan’s deployment of a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer and patrol aircraft to the Middle East.

Abe also secured the crown prince’s backing for an MSDF mission aimed at gathering information to ensure safe navigation in the region.

INNUMBERS

$5.08 billion Value of Japanese exports to Saudi Arabia in 2022, primarily vehicles.

1.17 million Barrels per day of oil imported by Japan from Saudi Arabia in 2018.

947 Number of Japanese nationals residing in Saudi Arabia as of Dec. 2019.

Two P-3C patrol planes of the MSDF set out on their mission in January 2020 and the MSDF’s Takanami-class destroyer left for the Middle East on Feb. 2 of that year.

According to Japanese news media, the mission was extended and departed from the Middle East on Dec. 26, 2021. The two leaders agreed to maintain efforts that would ensure stability and peace in the region.

While in AlUla, Abe helped cast a spotlight on the ancient Nabataean site, which opened its doors to the public later that year. It was there that he also met with King Salman. The two statesmen discussed cooperation ahead of the G20, which was hosted by Saudi Arabia in 2020.

King Salman told Abe that he expected the Kingdom and Japan to deepen their strategic partnership in various fields, not only in the energy sector.




Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud (L) is welcomed by Japanese Emperor Akihito (R) prior to their luncheon at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on March 14, 2017. (AFP)

That was the fifth meeting between the two leaders since the start of Abe’s administration in December 2012. At that time, King Salman was crown prince.

Two years after leaving office, Abe was killed by a lone shooter during a campaign rally in the city of Nara on July 8, 2022. He left a legacy of strong relations with many nations, not least Japan’s Middle East allies — relations that Kishida appears eager to continue.

Before his Middle East tour, Kishida embarked on a trip to Lithuania and attended a NATO summit on July 12. He asked for NATO’s increased commitment to the Indo-Pacific region to counter China’s military activities.

He also held talks with Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO secretary-general, and discussed a new Japan-NATO document on space cooperation.

Stoltenberg said member countries failed to agree on a plan to establish a liaison office in Tokyo.




Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, joins US President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and G7 leaders including Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at an event to announce a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine during the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023. (Pool Photo via AP)

“The issue of a liaison office is still on the table. It will be considered in the future,” Stoltenberg said after the two-day summit in Vilnius.

France has opposed the Tokyo office plan out of concern over a potential backlash from China. French President Emmanuel Macron has said the Indo-Pacific was not the North Atlantic.

Kishida also met South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on the sidelines of the NATO summit and outlined Japan’s plans to release treated water from the stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean.

In Lithuania, Kishida held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to pledge Tokyo’s continued support for Kyiv in the war with Russia.




Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addresses the media after an EU-Japan summit in Brussels, Belgium on July 13, 2023. (AP Photo)

In Belgium, on July 13, Kishida met European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss security and economic cooperation.

European leaders will be watching Kishida’s Middle East tour with interest as they, too, consider their own energy security prospects and options for green transition.

 


Authorities foil drug trafficking across Kingdom

Updated 03 April 2025
Follow

Authorities foil drug trafficking across Kingdom

  • Suspects arrested in multiple regions as authorities tighten grip on drug trade

Riyadh: Saudi authorities carried out multiple drug-related arrests across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. 

Border Guard land patrols in the Halat Ammar sector of the Tabuk region foiled the smuggling of 352,275 amphetamine pills.

In Asir’s Al-Raboah sector, authorities arrested two Ethiopians with 50 kg of qat, while another operation led to the arrest of four Ethiopians smuggling 120 kg of qat.

In Jazan’s Al-Dayer sector, an Ethiopian was caught with 155,400 regulated tablets, and another smuggling attempt involving 995 kg of qat was thwarted.

The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested a Pakistani resident in Riyadh with 6.5 kg of methamphetamine, locally known as shabu.

Two citizens were arrested in the Hail region with 16,132 amphetamine tablets and 7.5 kg of hashish.

Preliminary legal procedures were completed, and all seized items were transferred to the relevant bodies.

Authorities have urged the public to report drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.

Reports can also be submitted, in strict confidence, to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email at 995@gdnc.gov.sa.


KSrelief provides urgent medical, food assistance to crisis-hit regions worldwide

Updated 03 April 2025
Follow

KSrelief provides urgent medical, food assistance to crisis-hit regions worldwide

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency, KSrelief, is providing humanitarian assistance to assist some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

In Yemen, KSrelief delivered the fourth batch of dialysis solutions and supplies for kidney patients in Al-Mukalla district of Hadramout governorate.

Hadramout Assistant Deputy Gov. Fahmi Badhawi highlighted the importance of the supplies and expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its support for Yemen’s healthcare sector and humanitarian efforts.

The scheme is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts through KSrelief to provide healthcare services to patients and the injured, while improving Yemen’s medical sector, the SPA reported.

Meanwhile, KSrelief delivered food baskets to 155 families in Sahnaya town, Rif Dimashq governorate in the Syrian Arab Republic, benefiting 769 people. The agency also provided clothing parcels to 140 families in Aleppo governorate.

In Lebanon, KSrelief provided food baskets to 828 families in Western Bekaa, Akkar and Dannieh, and 467 food baskets in Beirut, benefiting 2,335 people.

In Sudan, KSrelief handed out 2,000 food baskets to displaced and needy families in Berber locality, River Nile State, benefiting 12,811 people, and 800 food baskets in Jebeit, Red Sea State, benefiting 4,720 people.

Since launching in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,389 projects worth almost $7.9 billion in 106 countries, partnering with more than 300 local, regional and international organizations.

A recent KSrelief report shows the countries and territories benefiting the most from the agency’s projects: Yemen ($4.5 billion), Palestine ($514 million), Syria ($479 million), Somalia ($235 million) and other countries totaling $929 million.

Programs cover food security, early recovery, water sanitation and hygiene, health, camp coordination, education, protection, emergency aid, nutrition, and logistics and telecommunications.


Civil Defense issues heavy rain alert until Monday

Updated 03 April 2025
Follow

Civil Defense issues heavy rain alert until Monday

  • The directorate indicated that moderate to heavy rain is expected in the Tabuk, Madinah, Jouf, Northern Borders, Eastern Province, Hail, Qassim, Baha and Asir regions

Riyadh: The public should exercise caution as thunderstorms and heavy rains are expected to continue across most regions of the Kingdom until Monday, according to the General Directorate of Civil Defense. 

Residents are advised to stay in safe locations, avoid valleys and areas prone to flooding, and refrain from swimming in them, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. 

According to the report, there will be dust-stirring winds, and moderate to heavy rain may fall in the Makkah and Riyadh regions.

The directorate indicated that moderate to heavy rain is expected in the Tabuk, Madinah, Jouf, Northern Borders, Eastern Province, Hail, Qassim, Baha and Asir regions.

The Jazan region will see light to moderate rain, while the Najran region will experience light rainfall, the report said.

The Civil Defense has urged the public to monitor official channels and social media platforms for the latest weather updates.


Saudi consulate in Los Angeles celebrates Eid Al-Fitr

Among those attending the event were Saudi Consul General Bandar Al-Zaid and officials from the US State Department. (Supplied)
Updated 02 April 2025
Follow

Saudi consulate in Los Angeles celebrates Eid Al-Fitr

  • The celebration underscored the consulate’s commitment to strengthening ties with the local community and fostering cultural exchange

LOS ANGELES: Saudi Arabia’s Consulate General in Los Angeles marked Eid Al-Fitr with a festive celebration attended by Consul General Bandar Al-Zaid, officials from the US State Department, the Vice Mayor of Irvine James Mai, the former mayor of Irvine, and accredited consul generals.

The celebration underscored the consulate’s commitment to strengthening ties with the local community and fostering cultural exchange, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Through such initiatives, the consulate aims to highlight the Kingdom’s rich heritage.

 


Arabic Language Month begins in Spain

Updated 02 April 2025
Follow

Arabic Language Month begins in Spain

  • It features an exhibition, seminars, training courses, linguistic proficiency tests, and student competitions in partnership with Spanish universities and academic institutions

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language is hosting the Arabic Language Month program in Spain throughout April, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The event is a comprehensive initiative aimed at developing Arabic language curricula, promoting the language, and highlighting Saudi Arabia’s efforts in this field.

The progeam is designed to strengthen academic and educational ties between Saudi Arabia and international institutions, the SPA reported.

It features an exhibition, seminars, training courses, linguistic proficiency tests, and student competitions in partnership with Spanish universities and academic institutions.

As part of the academy’s global Arabic teaching program, the initiative has been implemented in countries such as Uzbekistan, Indonesia, China, India, France, Brazil, Thailand and Malaysia, expanding its international reach and fostering global partnerships.