Japanese official: Cooperation with Saudi Arabia goes beyond energy to development and achieving stability in the region

A Japanese official said that relations between Riyadh and Tokyo are based on broad cooperation related to “Saudi Vision 2030,” energy security, protecting maritime navigation, and maintaining stability and prosperity in the region, which protects international trade and opens the way for joint development.

Tsukasa Uemura, the Japanese government's special envoy to the Middle East peace process, stressed that the two countries agree on the importance of stability in the Gulf and the sea lanes, indicating that existing cooperation does not exhaust opportunities for joint work, and that the field is still open to new ideas.

Uemura explained in statements to Asharq Al-Awsat that Japan’s interest in the Middle East is not limited to oil and gas, despite their importance to Japanese energy security. Pointing out that the region is located “at the heart of global trade.”

He pointed out that the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Bab al-Mandab, and the Suez Canal are “vital corridors for international trade,” and that any disturbance in them will have repercussions that extend beyond the countries of the region. These corridors are of particular importance to Japan, which depends on stable trade routes and energy supplies.

Uemura said that Tokyo views the region as a center for global trade, in addition to its natural wealth and human and cultural potential. He added that the security, stability and prosperity of the Middle East “is not only important to Japan, but to the entire world.”

Relationships within “Vision 2030”

Regarding bilateral relations, Uemura recalled his experience as Japanese ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the period from 2017 to 2020, and said that cooperation between the two countries has expanded to include multiple sectors within the framework of “Saudi Vision 2030.”

He explained that the relevant Japanese ministries participate in areas such as education and industrial development, and that the two countries have established a mechanism for ministerial meetings through which officials from both sides meet to discuss issues of common interest.

Tsukasa said that this mechanism represents one of the existing cooperation paths, but it does not exhaust opportunities for joint work, adding that the field is still open to new ideas. Among the proposals he put forward was to strengthen tripartite cooperation, so that Japan and Saudi Arabia would work together in development projects in third countries. Riyadh offers its capabilities and resources, while Tokyo contributes its expertise and capabilities. Especially in less developed regions.

On Friday, the Saudi Foreign Minister received a phone call from his Japanese counterpart, during which the latter stressed his country’s rejection of targeting civilians and civilian facilities, and strongly condemned the Houthi attacks, expressing his appreciation for the Saudi efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, including Yemen.

Energy security

In the energy security file, Uemura pointed to Japanese cooperation with Saudi Arabia and the UAE in storing crude oil. He said that Japan has built large tanks on its territory, but the oil stored in them remains the property of the two Gulf states. Under normal circumstances, the stock can be used for commercial purposes, but when a crisis or supply disruption occurs, the oil can be put on the Japanese market.

The Japanese diplomat described the mechanism as a formula that achieves the interests of both parties. It guarantees Japan oil supplies in times of emergency, and allows Saudi Arabia and the UAE to access the Japanese market.

He added that Tokyo is considering providing financial assistance to Asian countries to confront the repercussions of the Gulf crisis, including the shortage of crude oil and natural gas supplies, and to help them develop plans to prepare for crises.

Navigation security is a common interest

These paths come at a time when Japan expressed its concern about the expanding confrontation between Iran and the United States and the Iranian attacks on the Gulf states. Uemura said that Tokyo is following developments “with great concern,” and that it fears the conflicts will spread to other countries and regions.

He added: “We now see that the crisis is expanding to include the Houthis and the Bab al-Mandab Strait,” calling for calm to be restored and tension to be reduced. He stressed that navigation security in the region is a “common interest” for Japan, Saudi Arabia and other concerned parties.

As for Yemen, he said that Japan calls for an end to the escalation and hostilities, and demands an end to the attacks targeting countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia. He added that Japanese aid to Yemen currently passes through international organizations, especially the United Nations, with the possibility of discussing other forms of cooperation in the future, including tripartite projects with the participation of East Asian countries.

Uemura concluded by emphasizing that strengthening Japanese-Saudi relations and cooperation with the Gulf states are linked to a broader goal of maintaining stability and prosperity in the region, which protects international trade and opens the way for joint development.