Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya emphasized the need to fully implement the prisoner exchange deal and ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, ensuring compliance with all its provisions before moving to the next phase to achieve long-term regional stability.
He underscored the importance of a two-state solution for lasting peace and international security.
Separately, Iwaya acknowledged security threats facing Japan, prompting Tokyo to sign an agreement with the United States to work closely toward a "free and open Indo-Pacific," further strengthening the bilateral alliance.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Iwaya stated that Japan faces a complex security environment, the most challenging since World War Two, due to rapid military advancements, including the enhancement of nuclear and missile capabilities, and increasing pressure to impose unilateral changes to the status quo by force.
Japan-Saudi relations
On another front, Iwaya revealed that Tokyo signed a memorandum with Riyadh during Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah's recent visit to establish a Strategic Partnership Council (SPC), chaired by the leaders of both countries, to boost bilateral dialogue and cooperation across various sectors.
Japan attaches great importance to its strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, given its pivotal role among Arab and Islamic nations, Iwaya said.
He added that in recent years, bilateral cooperation has expanded significantly under the Japan-Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, moving beyond the traditional energy sector, which is focused on crude oil to include clean energy, tourism, culture, sports, and entertainment.
With Saudi Arabia's rapid progress in politics, economy, advanced technologies, culture, and sports, cooperation opportunities between Tokyo and Riyadh are growing. Japan's expertise, advanced technologies, and cultural content contribute to the success of the Kingdom's ambitious projects, including smart cities, tourism, and entertainment initiatives, he said.
Iwaya also highlighted Japan's hosting of Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, which will pass the torch to Expo 2030 Riyadh. As Saudi Arabia takes on an increasingly significant role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, strengthening bilateral cooperation in this domain is essential, he stressed.
Strategic dialogue
The Japanese foreign minister noted that he held the second strategic dialogue with his Saudi counterpart in Tokyo in February, discussing ways to deepen bilateral relations across multiple sectors and deepen cooperation on regional and international issues.
The SPC which will serve as a leadership hub to further elevate bilateral ties, Iwaya said.
"This year marks the 70th anniversary of Japan-Saudi diplomatic relations, and I am committed to making every effort to strengthen our partnership."
Palestinian issue
Regarding Japan’s position on the Palestinian issue, Iwaya affirmed that Tokyo is closely monitoring the situation in Gaza and maintaining strong communication with relevant countries and international organizations.
He stressed that Japan is actively contributing to global efforts to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza and support reconstruction while intensifying diplomatic initiatives to achieve a two-state solution and ensure long-term peace and regional stability.
Iwaya also highlighted Japan’s role in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza and facilitating progress in hostage releases following the ceasefire agreement implemented in January.
It is crucial to ensure the full implementation of the agreement and transition to the next phase for lasting regional stability, he said.
Syria crisis
Iwaya said Tokyo is closely monitoring developments in Syria with deep concern and remains in contact with members of the new government to assess how best to respond to the situation.
Japan views the Syrian crisis comprehensively, based on its firm belief in the need to support all Syrians, he told Asharq Al-Awsat. Japan has provided humanitarian aid to those in need, aiming to support them in both the medium and long term.
He noted that Japan has contributed to capacity-building efforts for Syria’s future and expressed hope for a peaceful and stable transition of power. He emphasized the importance of inclusive political settlement through dialogue among Syrians, pledging that Tokyo would work closely with the international community to achieve this goal.
Asian security cooperation
On the prospect of forming an Asian alliance to counter China’s military expansion and North Korea’s missile threats, Iwaya said Japan is making every effort to bolster its defense capabilities in line with national security strategies while strengthening cooperation with like-minded allies.
He stressed that Japan is committed to enhancing deterrence and response capabilities within its alliance with the United States, ensuring greater resilience and sustainability.
Cooperation will continue toward achieving a free and open Indo-Pacific region, he added.
