Japan-Saudi Arabia Relations
Telephone Talk between Prime Minister Kishida and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia
February 3, 2022
On February 3, commencing at 7:00 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, held a telephone talk with H.R.H. Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The overview of the talk is as follows.
- At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan and Saudi Arabia is a strategic partner and expressed his intention to foster close ties with Crown Prince Mohammed. In response, Crown Prince Mohammed congratulated Prime Minister Kishida on his appointment as Prime Minister and expressed his renewed hopes for strengthening bilateral relations with Japan.
- Prime Minister Kishida expressed his appreciation for the secure supply of oil from Saudi Arabia to Japan and stated that Japan seeks to cooperate with Saudi Arabia as it plays a leading role in the stabilization of the international oil market as a member of the OPEC +. He stated that Japan will support Saudi Arabia's efforts towards the diversification of its industry as well as its domestic economic and social reforms. In response, Crown Prince Mohammed stated that he would like to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across a wider range of areas beyond the energy area under the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 framework and that Saudi Arabia will contribute towards realizing the stabilization of the international oil market.
- Both leaders exchanged views on regional issues in the Middle East, including the situation in GCC countries, Iran and Yemen, and shared the view to continue close cooperation. They also exchanged views on North Korea including its nuclear and missile activities and affirmed that they would continue to coordinate in dealing with North Korea, including on the abductions issue.