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The Visit to the Gulf Countries by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono
(Overview and Evaluation)

1. Status of Visit

This is the first visit by a Japanese foreign minister to the Gulf countries in 10 years since Foreign Minister Taro Nakayama's visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman in August 1990. In particular, it is the first time for a Japanese foreign minister to pay a visit to Qatar.

2. Schedule

Date of visit: 8-14 January 2000
Countries visited: The State of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the State of Kuwait, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

3. Talks, Courtesy Calls, and Other Visits

In each of the countries visited, talks were conducted and courtesy calls paid on the Heads of State or high-ranking dignitaries representing their leaders. In the following countries Foreign Minister Kono met with:

Qatar: Amir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani (Head of State), Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmad Abdallah al-Mahmud, and delivered his Policy Address

United Arab Emirates: Deputy Prime Minister Sultan bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan and Minister of Information and Culture Abdallah bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan

Kuwait: Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (Head of State) and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sulayman Majid al-Shahin

Saudi Arabia: King Fahd Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud (Head of State), First Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Saud Al-Faisal Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud

4. Evaluation

In order to establish multi-layered relations with the Gulf countries on top of the relations based on the import and export of crude oil, during this visit to the Gulf countries, Foreign Minister Kono announced the "Toward Multi-layered Relations with Gulf Countries (Kono Initiative)" comprising three areas: promotion of "dialogues among civilizations with the world of Islam," water resources development, and promotion of wide-ranging policy dialogues. After announcing this Initiative in his Policy Address in Qatar on 9 January and during a television interview, Foreign Minister Kono also brought it up during talks with the leaders, gaining their approval.

Furthermore, Foreign Minister Kono discussed very varied issues with the leaders of these countries, actively broaching the situation in Asia, discussions on culture, and other subjects, not limited to the Middle East peace process, trends in the oil market, and Japan-Gulf countries cooperation.

In particular, Foreign Minister Kono showed a strong interest in Islam and emphasized the necessity of mutual understanding to explain his clear stance of attaching importance to Islam. This stance was welcomed by the Gulf countries, which regarded it as very opportune.

5. Outline of Foreign Minister Kono's Policy Address

(1) Japan's relations with Islam historically date back to ancient times. However, most Japanese have had no other occasion to learn about Islam except through Europe and the United States of America. As a result, an exaggerated image of Islam, influenced by Western interpretations, was introduced to Japan. Furthermore, the perception of Islam representing oil-producing countries has grown so far since the 1973 oil crisis.

(2) In recent years, Japan-Gulf countries' relations have mainly developed in economic fields centering on the import-export of oil. However, at the turn of the century, it would be in the interests of both sides to establish multi-layered relations by further expanding and deepening the relations between Japan and the Gulf countries without limiting them to oil. To be more specific, Japan will work toward the materialization of proactive cooperation in three areas: promotion of "dialogues among civilizations with the world of Islam," water resources development, and promotion of wide-ranging policy dialogues.

  1. Promotion of "dialogues among civilizations with the world of Islam"
    In the course of globalization, the civilization and culture fostered by our respective histories should be cherished. To this end, it is essential that both sides gain a deeper knowledge of each other's civilization and foster understanding and generosity toward others through dialogues with one another. More specifically, Japan will work toward expanding and reinvigorating academic exchanges, intellectual exchanges, and personnel exchanges, among youth.
  2. Water resources development
    Water resources development is an issue shared by Gulf countries, and Japan pays attention to the fact that it has vital significance for the stability of the entire region, not just the perspective that it represents for issues of development or daily life. Japan intends to support the water resources development of Gulf countries by utilizing Japan's know-how regarding desalination of seawater and management of water resources.
  3. Wide-ranging policy dialogue
    The Gulf countries have increased their voices on global issues playing active roles as important participants, and will go on to deepen their consultations on global themes, such as pan-Asian issues. To this end, Japan will build a framework for multi-layered policy dialogue by further activating numerous forums between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Japan, as well as policy dialogues and joint committees established so far between the Gulf countries and Japan.
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