Arab News Japan

TOKYO: MORINO Yasunari, Japan’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in an article for the Kasumigaseki Foreign Service Association noted that Japan and Saudi Arabia continue to strengthen their bilateral relationship. 

Morino highlighted that both countries use the Japan-Saudi Vision 2030 initiative to foster people-to-people exchanges and collaboration in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and infrastructure development to support the Kingdom’s national development goals.

He said that Saudi Arabia is actively expanding non-oil sectors, including gaming, while preparing for major events such as the Riyadh Expo and the 2034 Fifa World Cup as it pursues its Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy away from oil.

Morino detailed high-level bilateral contacts, including telephone conversations between Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan. Additionally, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry AKAZAWA Ryosei has held discussions with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman concerning energy security.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, Ambassafor Morino notes that Saudi Arabia advocates for the Arab Peace Initiative and a two-state solution. Japan has joined the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which is promoted by Saudi Arabia.

“Despite being targeted by Iranian attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure, Saudi Arabia has maintained a strategy of restraint, avoiding direct military retaliation while utilizing diplomatic channels to pressure Iran and keep dialogue open. The Kingdom has engaged in high-level diplomacy with the United States, Russia, China, and other international partners,” Morino says.

At the UN Security Council, Bahrain, representing the Gulf states, introduced a resolution calling on Iran to cease attacks against Gulf countries. This resolution was adopted without a veto from any permanent member and was co-sponsored by 135 countries, “reflecting Saudi Arabia’s active diplomatic efforts to build international consensus against the aggression.”

Ambassador Morino concludes that Saudi Arabia has deepened cooperation with the broader Islamic world by hosting a meeting of major Islamic foreign ministers in Riyadh and participating in a meeting in Islamabad alongside the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, and Türkiye.