Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan’s Foreign Minister, MOTEGI Toshimitsu, says the Japanese government is closely watching the situation in the Middle East as tension continues between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, while targets are being bombed by the United States and others in Syria.

Motegi says he plans to meet Arab foreign ministers soon.

“We are continuing to pay close attention to the latest development in the Middle East, including the impact of the US airstrikes in Syria and the Houthi faction attacks against Saudi Arabia that we condemn strongly,” Motegi said at a press conference at the Foreign Ministry on March 2.

“As Japan depends on the Middle East for more than 90 percent of its crude oil imports, peace and stability in that region is extremely important, and the stable supply of oil from the Middle East is indispensable for the stability and growth of the world economy, including Japan,” he continued.

While Japan is an ally of the United States, it also has close relationships with Middle Eastern countries. Motegi said Japan will continue to work with the countries concerned at various levels to ease tensions in the Middle East and stabilize the situation.

“I would like to exchange opinions with the Foreign Ministers of the Arab League and confirm close cooperation,” he added.

Motegi recalled that he visited the Middle East last year and he has held telephone talks with foreign ministers of countries in the region.