Countries & Regions

(1)Meeting between members of the business communities of Japan and Bahrain (including a greeting from Dr. Hassan (bin Abdullah) Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce)
(2)Courtesy call by Vice Admiral John W. Miller, Commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet and the Combined Maritime Forces
(3)Meeting with H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain; presentation of the Order of Khalifa; luncheon hosted by H.M. King Hamad
(4)Telephone talk with H.R.H. Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain
(5)Visit to the Bahrain National Museum (including informal discussion with H.E. Shaikha Mai (bint Mohammed Al Khalifa), Minister of Culture)
(6)Greeting from the Principal of the Japanese School in Bahrain
(7)Courtesy call by interns from disaster-affected areas in the Tohoku Region, Jaan

(1)Meeting between members of the business communities of Japan and Bahrain

Prime Minister Abe attended the meeting (see note) between members of the business communities of Japan and Bahrain, and in his opening greeting, he explained that the first crude oil exported from Bahrain was sent to Japan, and that last year the Japan-Bahrain Economic Cooperation Association was launched in Japan, along with noting that an increasingly diverse range of Japanese companies has been advancing into Bahrain in recent years, and expressing expectation that the cooperative relationship between the two countries in the economic sector will progress further. Ahead of this informal session Prime Minister Abe met with Dr. Hassan (bin Abdullah) Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, and other officials.

(2)Courtesy call by Vice Admiral John W. Miller, Commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet and the Combined Maritime Forces

Prime Minister Abe received a courtesy call from Vice Admiral John W. Miller, Commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet and the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), and they exchanged views on the counter-piracy operations of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 and the Japan Self-Defense Force, the International Minesweeping Exercise in the Persian Gulf, regional affairs etc. Vice Admiral Miller expressed high appreciation and gratitude for Japan’s counter-piracy operations.

(3)Meeting with H.M. King Hamad; presentation of the Order of Khalifa; luncheon hosted by H.M. King Hamad

Prime Minister Abe held a meeting with H.M. King Hamad, and said that the relationship between the two countries advanced to new stage as a result of the visit to Japan by H.M. King Hamad last year, the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and that he is honored to become the first Prime Minister of Japan to visit Bahrain. Prime Minister Abe also expressed confidence that the relationship between Japan and countries in the Middle East will become a “Comprehensive Partnership towards Stability and Prosperity,” a view that was shared by H.M. King Hamad. Subsequently, Prime Minister Abe was awarded the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Order First Class, the highest medal to Prime Minister conferred in Bahrain, by H.M. King Hamad. Prime Minister Abe presented and introduced a gift of Japanese fruit (Japanese pears, greenhouse mikan (mandarins), Muscat grapes and Yubari melons) to H.M. King Hamad. The gifted fruit was served at the luncheon and was extremely well received by those attending. At the luncheon, Prime Minister Abe and H.M. King Hamad also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, including Bahrain. After the luncheon, Prime Minister Abe introduced representatives from the business community visiting Bahrain with him to H.M. King Hamad.

(4)Telephone talk with H.R.H. Prince Salman

Prime Minister Abe held a telephone talk with H.R.H. Prince Salman, who was not in Bahrain at that time, and they welcomed the major results of the first-ever visit by a Prime Minister of Japan to Bahrain, along with sharing the view that the cooperative relationship will grow stronger going forward. Prime Minister Abe conveyed his gratitude in particular for the fact that restrictions on imports of Japanese foodstuffs had been lifted upon mutually decided terms. H.R.H. Prince Salman said he highly appreciates the great interest Japan shows in Bahrain, and the role it is playing in various areas on the political, economic and social fronts, and added that he is pleased to have lifted the restrictions on imports of Japanese foodstuffs.

(5)Visit to the Bahrain National Museum

Prime Minister Abe was met by Minister of Culture H.E. Shaikha Mai (bint Mohammed Al Khalifa), and received an explanation regarding exhibits etc. at the Bahrain National Museum, along with viewing a display of the Dilmun and Tyros civilizations and a display showing the traditional Bahraini way of life.

(6)Greeting from the Principal of the Japanese School in Bahrain

Prime Minister Abe received a greeting from the Principal of the Japanese School in Bahrain, who showed Prime Minister Abe the calligraphic work that had been donated by then-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shintaro Abe at the opening ceremony for the Japanese School in Bahrain in 1984.

(7)Courtesy call from intern students from disaster-affected areas

Prime Minister Abe held a meeting with 11 technical college students from areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake who are undertaking training in Bahrain. Prime Minister Abe said he found compelling their strong commitment to recovery and their enthusiasm to study while eyeing a future dream, and said that he wants them to gain something during their training that helps them become individuals who can play an active role globally. Prime Minister Abe also praised and encouraged these college students for endeavoring to study in the Middle East, which is a long way from Japan.