TOKYO: Former Foreign Minister KONO Taro says Japan remains committed to maintaining strong economic, cultural, and other ties with Saudi Arabia and would like Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to visit when Japan hosts the Asian Games in September.

“Japan and Saudi Arabia have a robust partnership, especially in oil sector, and we want this teamwork to continue,” Kono told Arab News Japan. “Getting stable oil supplies from Saudi Arabia is more important than ever.”

Saudi Arabia supplied around half of Japan’s total oil imports last January and the Middle East accounts for more than 90 percent of those imports.

Kono, who has just been appointed as head of International Affairs for the LDP plans to visit Saudi Arabia in the summer, says Japan relies on Middle East oil more than during the oil crisis in the 1970s. Japan has 250 days of oil in reserve, but Kono says if the conflict surrounding Iran in the Middle East continues, “Japan could face a serious energy shortage.”

One tanker is en route to Japan with oil, but Kono says tankers may have to take an alternative route, avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, if the fighting continues.

“UAE oil can still reach us via Fujairah, but we cannot receive Kuwaiti oil right now,” Kono said. “If the Strait of Hormuz stays closed, Japan’s chemical industry could soon run very low on supplies. There is also still doubt about whether there is a Saudi naphtha pipeline to the West Coast, which could quickly become very important.”

Kono says asking Iran to allow ships supplying Japan to pass without hindrance is not likely to be a solution, as shipping companies will likely remain cautious due to insurance issues.

Kono says the government is concentrating on ensuring the safety of Japanese citizens in the region, after which, “We will focus on protecting crude oil supplies and important projects. Japan’s recent basic agreement with the UAE on the CEPA free trade deal should help us work more closely together. Still, the conflict limits what we can do.”

Kono believes the government of Japan should become more involved in helping to resolve issues in the region. “When I was foreign minister, I supported Japan becoming more involved in the region and helped launch Japan-Arab political talks. Sadly, we became less involved later. Now, it is very important for Japan to rebuild these relationships. We hope the TAKAICHI Sanae government will take strong action. As head of international affairs for the LDP, I am working hard to advance these efforts. Japan wants to play a bigger part in the region again.”

Kono is a distinguished lawmaker within the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, having held important positions as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Digitalization in various cabinets. His extensive experience has facilitated the development of robust relationships for Japan with Arab nations.