- ARAB NEWS
- 16 Jun 2025
Since 1975
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met his Japanese counterpart, IWAYA Takeshi, in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss bilateral ties.
The ministers reviewed strategic and economic relations between Riyadh and Tokyo, and highlighted the need for continued cooperation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Iwaya “expressed his gratitude for the stable supply of crude oil from Saudi Arabia over the years” and expects the Kingdom to continue its leading role in stabilizing the global crude oil market.
The ministry said that Prince Faisal “reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the stable supply of crude oil to Japan” and called for improved cooperation in the crude oil sector, as well as in clean energy.
Prince Faisal and Takeshi discussed regional issues, including the necessity of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, US-Iran nuclear negotiations, the war in Ukraine and efforts to achieve a two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Takeshi said that Japan is “deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” and is “strongly urging Israel as well to stop this war,” his spokesperson told the press after the meeting.
He said “we need to have lasting peace, and a two state solution is the only solution that could achieve this peace (and) stability, and Japan has been supporting that,” deputy press secretary for Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kaneko Mariko said.
“Even before the Gaza war started, Japan has been assisting and helping Palestinians to their capabilities so that they will be able to run the independent state, we’ve been assisting to make some economy there, agriculture and other areas as well,
“Since October 7… we’ve been sending humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and also we’ve been reaching out to Israel and other countries in the region for lasting peace.”
Kaneko also said Saudi Arabia plays “an active role as a member of the G20, by supporting the stability of the Middle East and global energy markets, through OPEC.”
The ministers discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in space and defense. They agreed to arrange for the implementation of the Strategic Partnership Council, for which the two countries signed a memorandum in February.
Saudi Arabia and Japan are marking the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. Tokyo is passing the baton to the Kingdom from Expo 2025 in Osaka, which concludes in October, to the Riyadh Expo 2030, the ministry added.
Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Saudi ambassador to Japan, and Saud Al-Sati, deputy minister for political affairs, attended the meeting.
On Thursday, Takeshi also held talks with Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi to discuss the Gulf’s partnership with Japan in energy security.
The two officials agreed to cooperate in various areas, including politics, security, trade and investment. They also exchanged views on Gaza, Syria, Iran, the Red Sea and East Asia.
