Arab News Japan

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi met with the UAE’s minister of industry and advanced technology Dr. Sultan Al-Jaber on Sunday where they discussed the situation in Ukraine and the need for the stabilization of energy sources.

During the meeting, Hayashi discussed the strategic relationship between the two countries and explained how the Middle East was an important region for Japan, especially when it comes to energy security.

Stressing his concern with the sharp rise in crude oil prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Hayashi said that Japan would like the UAE, as a member of OPEC+, to contribute to the stabilisation of the global market by securing additional oil supply and production capacity.

“We would like you to contribute to the stabilization of the global crude oil market through further supply of crude oil,” Hayashi said.

The UAE supplies about a third of Japan’s oil imports.

In response, Al-Jaber, who is also a special Envoy for Japan and the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), expressed the UAE’s “strong” willingness to support Japan and work together to improve stability in the global energy market and in their efforts towards decarbonization.

Both ministers agreed to work closely on further expanding the cooperative relationship between the two countries.

Later in the day, Hayashi met UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan during a working dinner hosted by the minister.

Hayashi said Japan condemns the attack against Dubai by the Houthis and conveyed his sympathy to those who lost their lives and to their families and prayed for those injured to recover soon.