TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio said his recent tour to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar “achieved its main objectives,” stressing that the three countries are “important Gulf partners for Japan.”

 Kishida’s statement came at a press conference in Doha on July 18 at the end of his visit to Qatar, the last leg of his tour that began in Saudi Arabia on July 16.

Kishida expressed his “deep gratitude to the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, and the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the officials of the three governments and their people for providing this precious opportunity.”

Kishida said that during his meetings with the leaders of the three Gulf states he firmly affirmed the fundamental principle of preserving a free and open international order based on the rule of law adopted by the G7 summit in Hiroshima.

Regarding the energy sector, Kishida noted that dealing with energy sector issues is at the core of Japan’s relationship with the Middle East. And “while the destabilization of global energy supplies became an issue due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we were able to deepen our discussions from a global perspective.” 

The Japanese prime minister noted that the three Gulf countries have “a strong will to move away from the current economic situation, as more than half of their national income depends on oil and gas exports to become a source of decarbonized energy and diversify their economic sectors.”

He said that the Gulf countries and Japan will unite their strength to transform the oil-producing countries of the Middle East into global green energy centers that export carbon-free energy and important minerals.

Kishida indicated that direct talks took place between the leaders of the Gulf countries and managers of Japanese companies to lay the foundations for cooperation in various fields, as Kishida accompanied an economic mission consisting of executives of more than 100 Japanese companies, and heads of government-related organizations such as JBEC and MEXO. 

Kishida emphasized that the main objectives were achieved “with enthusiasm” and the emphasis on the cooperation of the three countries, focusing on four points (achievements): cooperation, transition to clean energy, promotion of soft power exchange, cooperation in the field of security, and Japan’s commitment to diversifying the economy of the three Gulf countries. Regarding the transition to clean energy, Kishida said it was agreed to cooperate in promoting green transition in the energy sector. 

Japan presented to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, chair of the 28th World Climate Conference COP28 (COP28) this year, a vision to make the Middle East a global center for future clean energy supplies and important minerals,” he said, noting that the Japanese side had received active proposals from both countries on Strengthening cooperation.”

To realize this vision in the future, Japan will strengthen cooperation in hydrogen and ammonia manufacturing processes and practical application and deployment of carbon removal technologies.” 

In addition to energy sources, he said, Japan will deepen cooperation in the research and development of non-second-emitting materials. carbon dioxide in the manufacturing process, such as green steel. In addition to this cooperation, he said, “I have proposed the Global Green Journey Initiative, which will paint a big picture towards a realistic energy transition.”

He referred to the joint statement issued by Japan and the UAE on climate action with the UAE.  And he said “Japan will enhance cooperation in decarbonization and will take the lead in the international community’s efforts towards the success of COP28.

As for the second achievement, which is Japan’s commitment to diversifying the economy of the three Gulf countries, Kishida affirmed “Japan’s strong commitment to the said diversification,” noting that he had signed seven bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of advanced technology, semiconductors, aerospace, medical care, education, agriculture and tourism. He emphasized that cooperation does not stop between governments. 

And “that is why more than 50 memorandums were signed between Saudi energy companies and the Toray company regarding joint research in seawater desalination plants, Emirati companies and Fujifilm regarding sales and maintenance contracts for medical programs.” 

He stressed the importance of accelerating innovation through collaboration between startups in cutting-edge areas such as decarbonization. Regarding the COP28 conference, he said, “I proposed to the UAE the Japan-Emirati Innovation Partnership and got approval.” 

With regard to the free trade agreement between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Kishida said that he agreed with the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, to resume negotiations within the year 2024. 

In terms of enhancing cooperation in the field of security, Kishida said that he had reached agreements with the three countries to increase opportunities for dialogue in the diplomatic and defense sectors, increasing opportunities for dialogue on the international arena, and deepening cooperation.

In addition to agreeing with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to organize regular meetings of foreign ministers, Japan also held talks with the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which includes 57 Islamic countries and regions, and “plays an active role in eliminating violent extremism and wields great influence. He insisted, “We will continue this dialogue and work closely with regional organizations.” 

With regard to the fourth point, which is promoting the exchange of soft power, Kishida said, “We agreed with the leaders of the three Gulf countries to significantly increase the number of students sent to Japan from the three Gulf countries in the wake of the detrimental effect the Coronavirus pandemic had on these exchanges. 

We also agreed to deepen further exchanges with regard to such areas of soft power as culture, sports and education. Kishida concluded that multi-level cooperation in a wide range of areas, including energy, the multilateral economic environment, security, and soft power exchanges, “is based on the common goal of maintaining a free and open international order based on the rule of law.” 

He concluded his speech by saying that Japan, as the chair of the G7 Summit, “will share the results of the Hiroshima Summit with the rest of the countries and play a leading role in the international community for a year. We will continue on to implement what we agreed to do during our visit to the Middle East through diplomatic opportunities in the future, and this will lead unswervingly to the security and prosperity of Japan, as well as the stability and prosperity of the international community.”