Japan-Saudi Arabia Relations
Japan-Saudi Arabia Relations (Basic Data)
Basic Data
General
Among Japanese contacts with Saudi Arabia before World War II can be cited the pilgrimage to Makkah undertaken by the Muslim Kotaro Yamaoka with a Mongolian group in 1909. He later wrote of the hardships of making pilgrimages. Official contacts have included the visit to Japan by Saudi envoy to England Hafiz Wahab to attend the opening in 1938 of a mosque in Yoyogi, Tokyo, and the 1939 visit to Saudi Arabia by Japanese envoy to Egypt Yokoyama, who had an audience with King Ibn Sa'ud. Major postwar developments were the dispatch in 1953 of the first Japanese economic delegation to Saudi Arabia and the formal establishment of diplomatic relations the following year. One of the centerpieces of the bilateral relationship has been the oil-field concessions granted by Saudi Arabia to the Japanese firm, Arabian Oil Co., and the successful extraction of petroleum thereafter. The concession agreement was signed in December 1957, and trial extractions proved successful in January 1960. The agreement was terminated in February 2000.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955, bilateral relations have taken a smooth course to date. The visit to Japan by Saudi Defense and Aviation Minister Prince Sultan Bin Abdul-Aziz in 1960 marked the beginning of bilateral visits by dignitaries of both nations, and in 1971 King Faisal visited Japan. Reciprocal visits by members of the Saudi royal and Japanese imperial families and premier and cabinet-level visits have grown more frequent since the "oil crisis" of 1973. In November 1994, the visit of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako to Saudi Arabia opened a new chapter in the history of friendly relations between the two families.
In September 1995, Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama visited Saudi Arabia as part of his tour of the Middle East. As for recent developments, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto called for "Comprehensive Partnership toward the 21st Century" that covers comprehensively political, economic and new areas of cooperation between Japan and Saudi Arabia, when he visited Saudi Arabia in 1997. In 1998 Crown Prince Abdullah and Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi witnessed the signing of "Japan-Saudi Arabia Cooperation Agenda." Foreign Minister Yohei Kono visited Saudi Arabia in 2001 and announced the initiatives in the following three areas: promoting dialogues with the Islamic World, developing water resources and engaging in diverse political dialogues. During the visit of Prime Minister Koizumi to Saudi Arabia in May 2003, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and H.R.H. Crown Prince Abdullah decided that both countires host commemorative events in 2005. In 2006 Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, who opened the series of mutual visits by dignitaries in 1960, paid an official visit to Japan. In 2007 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Riyadh at the invitation of King Abdullah.
From April 30 to May1 in 2013, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and held talks with HRH Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense on a range of bilateral issues and issues of common interest and issued a "Joint Statement on the Strengthening of the Comprehensive Partnership between Japan and Saudi Arabia -From Energy to Synergy-Joint Statement."
In February 2014 HRH Prince Salman visited Japan as official guest of the Government of Japan and held talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. On the occasion of this visit by HRH Prince Salman, both governments also issued a Joint Statement expressing both countries' determination to strengthen the Comprehensive Partnership in all fields.
The Japanese Imperial Family and the Saudi Royal Family maintains a cordial relationship. On the demise of the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz in January 2015, H.I.H the Crown Prince of Japan payed visit to Saudi Arabia to offer condolences.
The Year 2015 marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On this occasion, various commemorating events were took place in both countries, in which Japanese Budo (martial arts) Delegation lead by Mr. Masahiko Komura, Vice President of Liberal Democratic Party, visited Saudi Arabia and exhibited demonstrations in November 2015.
In September 2016, H.R.H. Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, then-Deputy Crown Prince, visited Japan and agreed to set up cooperation framework of “Saudi-Japan Vision 2030”.. In March 2017, H.M. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud paid a visit to Japan for the first time in 46 years as the King of Saudi Arabia. In June 2019, H.R.H. Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, visited Japan to attend the G20 Osaka Summit.
In the economic area, Saudi Arabia is the most important supplier of crude oil to Japan, and Japan has become Saudi Arabia's main partner in trade and investment.
Diplomatic Relations:
- 1955 Establishment of diplomatic relations
- 1958 Saudi Embassy in Tokyo established
- 1960 Japanese Embassy in Saudi Arabia established in Jeddah, before moving to Riyadh in 1984
Bilateral Treaties and Agreements
- 1975 Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation
- 2009 Agreement for Air Services
- 2011 Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Tax Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income
- 2017 Investment Treaty
Number of Residents
- Number of Japanese Nationals residing in Saudi Arabia: 947 (as of December 2019)
- Number of Saudi Nationals residing in Japan: around 2,140 (as of June 2019)
Economic Relations
- (a) Exports and imports, 2018 (Ministry of Finance of Japan)
Saudi exports to Japan: About 3,732.94 billion Japanese Yen (crude oil, petroleum products)
Saudi imports from Japan: About 454.13billion Japanese Yen (automobiles, machinery and equipment) - (b) Japanese crude imports (2018) (Ministry of Finance of Japan)
Imports from Saudi Arabia total about 1.17 million barrels a day, 38.7% of total crude imports
Economic Cooperation
Since Saudi Arabia's GNI per capita is at high level, Japan does not extend funding assistance. But in view of the close economic relationship and Saudi Arabia's great need for technical assistance, Japan provides technical cooperation on a project basis; accepts trainees in sectors such as communications, broadcasting, mining, and manufacturing; sends experts to the country; and offers other forms of assistance. Japan is considering to further promote its assistance to help raise Saudi technological levels in future.
Educational and Cultural Exchanges
- (1) Mutual visits by youth groups and athletes have taken place since 1985 between Japan and the member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
- (2) In 1993, a Japanese language department was set up within the College of Languages and Translation of King Saud University.
- (3) Hundreds of Saudi students are studying in Japan including under the scholarship program of the Saudi government.
VIP Visits
Year | Name |
---|---|
1990 | Foreign Minister Taro Nakayama |
1990 | Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu |
1992 | International Trade and Industry Minister Kozo Watanabe |
1994 | Crown Prince and Princess |
1995 | Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama |
1997 | Minister of Education Takashi Kosugi |
1997 | Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto |
1999 | Minister of International Trade and Industry Mitsuo Horiuchi |
1999 | State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura |
1999 | Minister of International Trade and Industry Kaoru Yosano |
2000 | Minister of International Trade and Industry Takashi Fukaya |
2001 | Foreign Minister Yohei Kono |
2001 | Former Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura (Special Envoy for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi) |
2001 | Minister of Economic, Trade and Industry Takao Hiranuma |
2003 | Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi |
2005 | Former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto |
2005 | Crown Prince and Former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto |
2006 | Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Shoichi Nakagawa |
2007 | Prime Minister Shinzo Abe |
2007 | Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akira Amari |
2008 | Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Kisaburo Tokai |
2008 | Special Envoy of Prime Minister Hiroshi Okuda |
2008 | Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akira Amari |
2009 | Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe |
2009 | Former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda |
2011 | Minister of Econoy, Trade and Industry Akihiro Ohata |
2011 | Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano |
2011 | H.I.H. Crown Prince |
2012 | Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba |
2012 | H.I.H. Crown Prince |
2013 | Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshimitsu Motegi |
2013 | Prime Minister Shinzo Abe |
2014 | Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshimitsu Motegi |
2015 | H.I.H. Crown Prince |
2015 | Mr. Yasutoshi Nishimura, State Minister of Cabinet Office |
2015 | Mr. Masahiko Komura, Vice President of Liberal Democratic Party |
2016 | Mr. Yosuke Takagi, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry |
2016 | Ms. Miki Yamada, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs |
2016 | Mr. Hiroshige Seko, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. Kentaro Sonoura, State Minister of Foreign Affairs |
2017 | Mr. Taro Kono, Minister of Foreign Affairs |
2018 | Mr. Hiroshige Seko, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry |
2019 | Mr. Taro Kono, Minister of Foreign Affairs |
2019 | Mr. Yoshiaki Harada, Minister of Environment |
Year | Name |
---|---|
1990 | Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister and Planning Minister Hisham Mohieddin Nazer |
1990 | General Presidency of Youth Welfare President Prince Faisal Bin Fahd |
1990 | Prince Nawaf Bin Abdul-Aziz |
1992 | Commerce Minister Sulaiman Abdul-Aziz Al-Suleim |
1992 | Planning Minister Abdul-Wahhab Bin Abdul-Salam Attar |
1993 | Prince Turki Bin Faisal Bin Abdul-Aziz |
1994 | Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister and Planning Minister Hisham Mohieddin Nazer |
1994 | Industry and Electricity Minister Abdul-Aziz Abdullah Al-Zamil |
1996 | Foreign Minister Prince Saud Faisal |
1997 | Education Minister Mohammad Bin Ahmad Al-Rasheed |
1997 | Planning Minister Abdul-Wahhab Bin Abdul-Salam Attar |
1998 | H.R.H. Prince Salman the Governer of Riyadh Region |
1998 | H.R.H. Crown Prince Abdullah |
2002 | Minister of National Economy and Planning Al-Gosaibi |
2003 | Minister of National Economy and Planning Al-Gosaibi |
2003 | Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr. Yamani |
2004 | Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Al-Naimi |
2005 | Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr. Yamani |
2006 | H.R.H Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud |
2007 | Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Al-Naimi |
2007 | Secretary-General of the National Security Council Prince Bandar Bin Sultan |
2007 | H.E. Ali Al Nuaimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources |
2009 | H.E. Ali Al Nuaimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources |
2010 | H.E. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Gosaibi, Minister of Economy and Planning |
2010 | H.E. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Angari, Minister of Higher Education |
2010 | H.E. Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al Hussein, Minister of Water and Electricity |
2010 | H.E. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Assaf, Minister of Finance |
2011 | H.E. Dr. Nizar bin Obaid Madani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs |
2012 | H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser. Minister of Planning and Economy H.E. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah, Minister of Commerce |
2012 | H.E. Ali Al Nuaimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources |
2012 | H.E. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Assaf, Minister of Finance |
2012 | H.E. Dr. Nizar bin Obaid Madani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs |
2013 | H.R.H. Prince Khaled bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Minister of Defense |
2014 | H.R.H. Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud |
2015 | H.E. Eng. Adel M. Fakeih, Minister of Economy and Planning, H.E. Mr. Abdullatif A. Al-Othman, Governor and Chairman of the Board of Directors |
2016 | H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Al-Shaikh, President of Shura Council |
2016 | H.R.H. Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Crown Prince |
2017 | Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud |
2018 | H.E. Mr. Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia |
2018 | H.R.H. Prince Sultan bin Salman, Chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage |
2019 | H.E. Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban, Minister of State |
2019 | H.R.H. Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince |
2019 | H.R.H. Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al Saud, Minister of State |
2019 | H.H. Prince Faisal Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs |
2019 | H.E. Dr. Adel Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs |