Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, ONISHI Yohei, visited Syria on Monday and announced Japan’s decision to resume bilateral economic cooperation. This is in addition to the support already provided through international organizations and NGOs.

Onishi met with Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yasser Barnieh and foreign ministry officials, announcing that Japan will provide an extra $53 million in support to Syria, diplomatic sources told Arab News Japan. He said Japan plans to help with Syria’s reconstruction by utilizing the ties between the two countries and sharing its expertise. 

Officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) joined Onishi and said they hope to strengthen ties between Japan and Syria by developing human resources and building capacity through training programs and other initiatives.

Onishi is the first senior Japanese official to visit Syria in about 15 years. He said Japan supports the Syrian government in working toward an inclusive, peaceful, and stable transition. He added that his visit marks the start of a new chapter in Japan-Syria relations.

Syrian Minister Barnieh highlighted the importance of Japanese companies and investors seizing the favorable investment opportunities that are currently available in Syria.

He mentioned that Syria is seeking to leverage Japan’s expertise in knowledge and technology transfer, as well as to obtain support for capacity building and training for Syrian personnel.

Barnieh also indicated that they engaged in discussions regarding the debt issue and assessed various options for resolving it in a manner that serves our mutual interests and strengthens the cooperation between both parties.

Syrian officials thanked Japan for its ongoing support for their country and welcomed the restart of direct economic cooperation. They outlined steps to stabilize the country since the new government took office in December 2024.

They expressed high hopes for Japan’s role in rebuilding Syria.

Syrian Foreign Ministry officials at the meeting included Zakaria Lababidi, Director of the Afro-Asian and Oceanian Affairs Department; Talal Kanaan, Director of International Cooperation; and Saad Baroud, Director of International Organizations and Conferences.