Japan-Qatar Relations
Meeting between Foreign Minister IWAYA and H.E. Mr. Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar
September 1, 2025
On September 1, commencing at 11:30 a.m. local time (17:30 p.m. JST) for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Kuwait to attend the Japan-GCC Foreign Ministers' Meeting and other events, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar. The overview of the meeting is as follows:
- At the outset, Minister Muraikhi expressed his desire to further promote bilateral cooperation under the strategic partnership. In response, Minister IWAYA expressed his respect for Qatar's diplomatic efforts towards the stabilization of the Middle East region emphasizing the importance of the strategic partnership with Qatar and his desire to further strengthen it.
- The two Ministers had a candid exchange of views on recent regional situations, including Iran, Gaza, and Syria. Minister IWAYA noted the importance of the fact that Gulf countries called on the parties involved to exercise restraint and to engage in dialogue during the exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran in June this year. He also mentioned the necessity of addressing the serious humanitarian situation in Gaza and acknowledged the diplomatic efforts of relevant countries towards the stabilization of Syria, expressing his desire to continue close communication with Qatar. In addition, he emphasized Japan's consistent support for the "Two-State Solution" and its desire to coordinate with Qatar. In response, Minister Muraikhi explained Qatar's position on the importance of dialogue towards regional stabilization and expressed gratitude for Japan's efforts including Conference on cooperation among East Asian countries for Palestinian Development and Japan’s long-standing support for Parestine .
- Furthermore, the two Ministers exchanged views on various international challenges, including their policies toward North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue.
- The two Ministers confirmed that they would continue close communication to further strengthen bilateral relations.