RIYADH: Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held wide-ranging talks with Japanese Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Thursday.
The two leaders decided to step up engagement in different fields. Seven MoUs (memorandums of understanding) were signed by the Kingdom and Japan in the areas of energy, industry, economy, investment, culture and sports.
Prince Mohammed and Abe also witnessed the signing of the pacts, which will go a long way in boosting links between the two nations.
During the prince’s talks with high-ranking Japanese officials, subjects of mutual interest were discussed. Abe and Prince Mohammed reaffirmed their resolve “to work together to achieve planned reforms of the Saudi economy with the potential to deliver significant benefits to the two countries.”
Prince Mohammed said: “The bilateral relations are important, and that exchanges in various areas between the two countries are essential. It is also important for Saudi Arabia and Japan to work together for the stability of the Middle East and for peace and security across the world.”
He conveyed the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif to the Japanese emperor and Abe.
Abe also hosted a dinner banquet in honor of the prince and his accompanying delegation. Abe said: “Saudi Arabia is important to Japan not only as a source of energy supplies, but also for the major business opportunities it provides and in terms of the stability of the Middle East. The world is seeing how the deputy crown prince will exercise his leadership to drastically change the Kingdom’s economy and society.”
The two leaders also agreed to jointly launch a ministerial-level Vision 2030 working group to discuss ways to help Saudi achieve economic reforms.
The first ministerial conference will be held in Saudi Arabia next month. The Japanese side was of the view that Saudi Vision 2030 can offer Japanese firms a chance to advance into the Kingdom’s economy as it privatizes state-owned entities.
In their roughly 45-minute talks, Prince Mohammed and Abe discussed the ways and means Japan can contribute to the realization of the growth strategy, through which the Kingdom aims to diversify its heavily oil-dependent economy.
Japan imports around 30 percent of its oil from the Kingdom. But energy is not the only sector in which the two countries can forge ties.
In fact, Japan wants to contribute to the strategy in a variety of fields, including manufacturing, small and medium-size enterprises, human resources, culture and sports.
Commenting on the royal, visit, Ohmori Setsuo, charge d’affaires at the Japanese Embassy, said: “I am very glad to know that the deputy crown prince was welcomed in an exceptionally cordial manner by Emperor Akihito, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and ministers, and people of Japan. I also sincerely wish that Prince Mohammed enjoys his stay in Japan and finds fruitful outcomes for further cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Japan.”
Setsuo pointed out that Prince Mohammed would hold several meetings with top Japanese officials on Friday. The prince will hold talks with Japan’s Chief Cabinet Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday morning before meeting with Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito; Yuriko Koike, governor of Tokyo Metropolitan Government; and Tomomi Inada, defense minister.
Prince Mohammed’s arrival to Tokyo is part of a wider Asia trip that saw him visit Pakistan and Beijing earlier and will next see him return to China for the Sept. 4-5 G20 Hangzhou 2016 summit.
Riyadh-Tokyo synergy to spur growth
Riyadh-Tokyo synergy to spur growth
Saudi Arabia extends condolences to Sudan after 11 die in mine collapse
- The collapse of the gold mine in the remote desert area of Howeid, northeast Sudan killed 11 miners and wounded seven others
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia extended its condolences and sympathy on Sunday after a traditional gold mine in Sudan partially collapsed and killed 11 miners.
The collapse of the gold mine in the remote desert area of Howeid, northeast Sudan also wounded seven others, the country’s mining company said on Sunday.
The Foreign Ministry said the Kingdom stands with Sudan during this tragedy and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.
Jeddah panel explores declining marriage rates among youth
- Discussion highlights changing views on commitment, societal pressures, search for meaningful connection
JEDDAH: Amid changing values, shifting priorities and growing alternatives to traditional partnerships, a panel titled “Why is there a decline in marriage today?” has explored evolving views on love, commitment and marriage.
Organized by Ta3mq, a platform focused on honest dialogue, the event at Hayy Jameel’s Rukn Space in Jeddah featured panelists from psychology, community leadership and youth engagement.
It was moderated by Tasneem Alshanqiti, Ta3mq founder, and Motaz Al-Safh, a Saudi engineer and entrepreneur. The session addressed generational concerns, fears and new definitions of partnership.
Reflecting on her role, Alshanqiti said: “I wasn’t just moderating — I was carrying the voice of younger women,” adding that she aimed to create a safe space that encouraged openness and reflection.
Panelist Rozana Albanawi, founder of Qeema and Jeddah_CM, said that the discussion explored marriage from societal, religious and psychological perspectives, focusing on self-understanding, compatibility over idealism, and the evolution of love.
Al-Safh said that he focused on creating a safe, judgment-free space for men to express vulnerability.
He described the conversation as “more like a talk between brothers than a formal panel,” aiming to help participants understand their fears and feelings about love and commitment.
The discussion highlighted recurring themes among Saudi youth. Al-Safh said that a few key issues kept emerging: Fear of failure, feeling unready, and pressure from expectations. Many question whether marriage today feels like love or a liability.
He added: “But beneath it all, there’s a real craving for connection, just done right, in a way that feels safe and meaningful.”
Dr. Khalid Sindi, a relationship and marriage psychotherapist, offered a broader national perspective by linking personal challenges to policy and social change.
Speaking to Arab News, he noted the ongoing transition in Saudi marriage values — from traditional to more modern — while emphasizing the preservation of core Islamic principles.
He highlighted government efforts under Vision 2030, such as the Saudi Marriage Fund and Sakani housing program, aimed at easing economic barriers for youth.
Sindi added: “Younger generations are seeking marriages that blend our cherished traditions with contemporary expectations of emotional connection and mutual growth. This represents not a rejection of our values but their natural adaptation to modern life.”
The panelists said that changing views on love and commitment reflected maturity rather than uncertainty.
Albanawi said: “There is high awareness among the generation now on marital topics, and many are seeking marriage with the right tools.”
She explained that conversation and dialogue help young people to commit while accepting uncertainty in relationships.
“The younger generation is looking for new ways to shape their marriage, such as avoiding unnecessary rules like high financial burdens or societal expectations that don’t match their reality.”
On the event’s outcome, Albanawi added: “A common theme was that marriages work best when couples marry early, are ready, and have family support.”
She noted that many believe delaying marriage increases fears and makes adaptation harder.
Sindi expressed a similar view on marriage’s evolving nature, saying that the changing views reflected progress and natural generational dynamics rather than fear or uncertainty.
“Rather than seeing shifting perspectives as problematic, the older generation should guide younger Saudis with wisdom and empathy.”
Highlighting the national context, Sindi noted the vital role of government initiatives in supporting Saudi Arabia’s vision for marriage and family life, demonstrating a commitment to making families society’s cornerstone.
Reflecting on the session’s emotional honesty, Al-Safh said that hearing men express concerns such as, “I don’t want to fail someone’s daughter,” revealed deep care often left unspoken.
Alshanqiti echoed the need for open, non-judgmental spaces, saying fears about failure and not being enough reminded her that many seek places where they can be truly seen and heard. She described the session as a step toward that openness.
Global sculptures at open-air museum in historic Jeddah
- The sculptures form a dynamic dialogue between the past and present, blending the site’s heritage with the language of contemporary art
JEDDAH: As part of a broader effort to revive the region’s visual identity through art, Al-Arbaeen Lake in historic Jeddah has been transformed into an open-air gallery featuring a curated collection of sculptures by international artists.
Led by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with Jeddah Municipality, the initiative features 14 world-class artworks integrated into the city’s visual landscape, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The sculptures form a dynamic dialogue between the past and present, blending the site’s heritage with the language of contemporary art.
Notable works on display include “The Illusion of the Second Cube” by Hungarian-French artist Victor Vasarely; “Rouge” and “Flexibility of Balance” by Alexander Calder; “Circular Mass” by Arnaldo Pomodoro; “The Bird” by Spanish sculptor Joan Miro; and “Giving and Receiving Love” by Lorenzo Quinn — a powerful piece that reflects human values through striking aluminium forms.
FASTFACTS
• Led by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with Jeddah Municipality, the urban art initiative features 14 world-class artworks integrated into the city’s visual landscape.
• Notable works on display include ‘The Illusion of the Second Cube’ by Hungarian-French artist Victor Vasarely and ‘Giving and Receiving Love’ by Lorenzo Quinn.
The installations are part of a wider artistic movement that reimagines public spaces as platforms for cultural engagement.
By transforming urban environments into art experiences, the project invites both residents and visitors to explore the intersection of architectural heritage and modern creativity.
It underscores the growing role of art in shaping urban identity and fostering public appreciation for visual beauty in shared spaces of the Kingdom.
Saudi FM receives Djiboutian counterpart
- The two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation in various fields
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Djiboutian counterpart, Abdul Kader Hussein Omar, in Riyadh on Sunday.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation in various fields, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.
The two ministers also chaired a meeting of the Political Consultations Committee between the two countries, during which they discussed coordination on key regional and international issues.
Saud Al-Sati, deputy minister for political affairs, was among the officials in attendance.
Saudi FM receives written message from Russian counterpart
- Al-Khuraiji and Kozlov elaborated on relations between their countries and ways to enhance them in various fields
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a written message from his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The message, regarding Saudi-Russian relations and ways to support and strengthen them in various fields, was received by Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji in Riyadh during a meeting with Russia’s ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov.
During the meeting, Al-Khuraiji and Kozlov elaborated on relations between their countries and ways to enhance them in various fields. Topics of common interest were also discussed, SPA added.
