The Middle East and North African region (hereafter referred to as “Middle East region”) is situated in a geopolitically important location that connects Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia and South Asia. The region sits on a major international maritime route for international commerce, and is important as it supplies energy resources, including oil and natural gas, to the world. On the other hand, the area is facing a number of issues that lead to instability within the region, such as Middle East Peace Process, the Iranian nuclear issue, and the reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq. The resolution of these issues is of great importance not only for the peace and stability of the region, but also for Japan which imports more than 80% of its crude oil from the region, and also for the international community as a whole.
　Following the major transformation in 2011, known as the Arab Spring, the long time governments have collapsed, and political reform is in progress in some Middle Eastern countries. On the other hand, some countries are still in a state of turmoil, such as Syria where persecution of citizens and civil unrest persists. In response to this situation, Japan has been providing assistance by, for instance, participating in the Deauville Partnership, which was launched at the G8, for the purpose of boosting efforts made by the respective countries in the region, which are currently transitioning to democracy.
　As for Afghanistan, it is a point of concern whether the country will be able to achieve self-reliance and stability after the withdrawal of the U.S. and other nations’ forces. Japan has been playing a greater role in the area of reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan. For instance, in July 2012, Japan hosted the Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan where a partnership for sustainable development of Afghanistan between the international community and the Afghan government was embodied.
　Japan has always placed importance on Middle East region in terms of securing a stable supply of resources and energy. More recently, the region has been achieving stable economic development that is attributed to the rapidly growing young population, and consequently, the region has been increasing its international appeal as a consumer market and investment destination. Therefore, in order to strengthen economic and business relationships with these countries, Japan has been developing legal frameworks-such as EPAs, FTAs, investment agreements and tax treaties-that will become the foundation of these relationships, as well as building infrastructure in the region.
　Furthermore, in recent years Japan has been striving to develop multi-layered relationships with Middle East region in a variety of fields that include renewable energy, science and technology, education, culture, and the environment. To this end, Japan intends to proactively participate in various dialogues and cooperation frameworks, including the Broader Middle East and North Africa (BMENA) Initiative, “Forum for the Future” ministerial meeting.