Alexander Woodman

Since the formation of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan, the two countries have developed mutual trust by accepting each other’s history, legacy and culture. This has broadened and deepened the current alliance, forming a firm and enduring strategic collaboration.

Saudis believe that Japan is known as a symbol of friendship, a beautiful concept, which symbolizes union and cooperation. This friendship started back in the 1950s, and more than sixty years of collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Japan has led to investment in human capital, exchanged resources and expanding multilateral relations.

Solid ties between the two countries were constructed on shared visions to collaborate, unite and prosper. The heirs and the leaders of Al-Saud Royal Family and the Yamato Dynasty (Imperial Family) retain strong companionship though official visits. One of the most noteworthy meetings was the visit of the late King Faisal to Japan in 1971. Since the reign of the late King Faisal, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud made the first official visit of a Saudi king to Japan in 2017. On this occasion, Japan’s Emperor Akihito bestowed on King Salman the Daisy High Medal in appreciation of his service as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

The partnership has been reflected by initiatives such as “The Comprehensive Partnership toward the 21st Century” and “The Japan-Saudi Arabia Cooperation Agenda.” This particular agreement was structured to improve the environment, health, science and technology, culture and sports and human resources.

The “The Kono Initiative” was introduced to the governments of Saudi Arabia and Japan on the occasion of the Foreign Minister Yohei Kono’s state visit to the Gulf countries in 2001. The focus areas of this initiative were meant to develop dialogues with the Islamic world, to improve water resources and to be engaged in diverse and even opposing political conversation. Since the launch of the initiative, this dialogue between Japan and the Islamic world has taken place annually.

The Kingdom and Japan are similar in their nature and in goals, working together to save traditions and values while establishing more modern ideas. Some Saudis and Japanese believe that the concept of modernization is not exactly coming from the principles of westernization, but it is aimed to bring something new for each nation. This will help to learn from each other and build people-to-people relations.

To reach this objective, Saudi Arabia and Japan announced the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 in 2017. The goal of Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 is to increase mutual benefit and prosperity. This will become a compass for the strategic partnership, seeking synergy between Saudi Vision 2030 and Japan’s Growth Strategy. Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 has a standard methodology. It will be constructed on three pillars: Representing the unique diversity, innovation, and soft values of the regions.

Forty-six government projects have been initiated with the inclusion of 44 ministries and institutions to implement the ideas of these pillars. The plan will be used to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil further, diversifying its economy and developing public service regions such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation and tourism.

• Alexander Woodman is an author based in the Gulf. His research interest includes global health, international health policy development, transnational and transcultural health politics, ethics as well as diplomacy. [email protected]   Instagram @thelandofadat