Japan-Bahrain Relations

September 19, 2025
Japanese
Prime Minister ISHIBA and His Royal Highness Prince Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, walking in front of the honor guard (Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
Prime Minister ISHIBA shaking hands with His Royal Highness Prince Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain (Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
Meeting between Prime Minister ISHIBA and His Royal Highness Prince Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain (Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)

On September 19, commencing at around 6:15 p.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, held a meeting with H.R.H. Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, who is visiting Japan. Following the meeting, both sides attended the signing ceremony of Memoranda of Cooperation (MOC) between the two countries, followed by a working dinner held from 6:45 p.m. for approximately 60 minutes. The overview of the events is as follows:

Both sides welcomed the signing of four MoCs between the relevant agencies of both countries in the fields of patents, space, human resource development in the public sector, and digital cooperation, as well as the revision of the framework between aviation authorities based on the Air Services Agreement,during the visit of H.R.H. Prince Salman to Japan.

1. Opening Remarks

  1. At the outset, Prime Minister ISHIBA welcomed His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman, and stated that there is a history of nearly 100 years of friendship between the two countries since the first oil export from Bahrain to Japan in 1934. Prime Minister ISHIBA also mentioned that both countries support the rule of law and multilateralism, including the United Nations, and place importance on peaceful resolution of conflicts and humanitarian assistance. He stated that it is significant that their bilateral relationship was elevated to a “Strategic Partnership”, and expressed his desire to further strengthen bilateral relations.
  2. In response, His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman expressed that he is pleased that the two countries concurred to elevate their bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership" and stated his wish to expand the cooperation between the two countries to a wider range of areas.

2. Bilateral Relations

  1. Both sides referred to Bahrain's pavilion at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai and expressed their expectations for further enhancement of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries on the occasion of this Expo.
  2. Prime Minister ISHIBA referred to the launch of the Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue as well as the holding of its first meeting between Foreign Minister IWAYA and Foreign Minister Zayani in September. He stated that cooperation between the two countries has expanded beyond the traditional energy fields to a wide range of areas such as politics and security, environment, information and communication technology, space, and culture, and expressed his desire to further develop bilateral relations.
  3. Prime Minister ISHIBA expressed his expectations for advancing cooperation in clean energy and transportation sectors. Noting that Japanese startups are expanding their investment projects in Bahrain, Prime Minister ISHIBA stated his desire for both governments to support such movements and link them to concrete cooperation projects.
  4. Both sides confirmed their intention to strengthen cooperation between Japan and the Gulc Cooperation Council (GCC) through opportunities such as the Japan-GCC Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Kuwait earlier this month.
  5. Both sides confirmed their cooperation towards the early conclusion of the Japan-GCC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) currently under negotiation.

3. Regional Situation

  1. Both sides exchanged views on the international situation, including the Middle East, Europe and Indo-Pacific.
  2. Prime Minister ISHIBA expressed deep concern about the expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza and stated the importance of Palestine ensuring its existence in a sustainable way living side by side with Israel. Both sides confirmed their cooperation towards a "two-state solution" and a long-term regional peace and stability.

(Reference) Memoranda of Cooperation signed during His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman's visit to Japan

  1. Bilateral Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) agreement between the Japan Patent Office and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain
  2. Memorandum of Cooperation in the space field between the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Bahrain Space Agency (BSA)
  3. Memorandum of Cooperation on human resource development in the public sector between the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) and the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) of Bahrain
  4. Revision of the framework between aviation authorities based on the Air Services Agreement between the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan and the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications of Bahrain
  5. Memorandum on digital cooperation between the Digital Agency of Japan and the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) of Bahrain

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