Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Wednesday reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to reducing regional tensions and preventing renewed conflict through comprehensive, sustainable diplomatic solutions addressing the sources of instability in the Middle East.
“Diplomacy, dialogue and peaceful means remain our priorities,” Prince Faisal declared during the third Saudi-Japanese Strategic Dialogue with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Riyadh.
Prince Faisal highlighted the decades-long relationship between Saudi Arabia and Japan, built on mutual trust and respect, and identified maritime security as a key shared priority.
He stressed the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation in international waterways in accordance with international law, emphasizing that the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab and other maritime passages must remain open, secure and free from threats.
The Saudi minister described Japan as an important economic partner and noted that Riyadh sought to expand cooperation in investment, energy, resources, supply chains, defense and technology, as well as the exchange of expertise and capabilities.
He reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia would remain a reliable partner for Japan, including in energy, while praising Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen economic resilience and stabilize global energy markets and trade.
Ahead of his visit to Riyadh and Muscat, Motegi noted that Saudi Arabia was playing a mediating role in talks between the United States and Iran and had seen its international influence expand significantly in recent years.
He pledged to deepen cooperation with the Kingdom as a strategic partner, particularly in ensuring stable energy supplies.
Toshihiro Kitamura, Japan’s assistant foreign minister and ministry spokesman, told Asharq Al-Awsat that cooperation between Riyadh and Tokyo was “strategic and encompasses all fields,” adding that future defense cooperation was possible.
Speaking at a news conference in Riyadh, Kitamura explained that Japan wanted to hear Saudi Arabia’s assessment of regional developments and strengthen coordination with Riyadh and Oman in support of peace and stability, particularly regarding Iran.
He noted that more than 95% of Japan’s crude oil imports passed through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring its importance to global trade and the world economy.
Kitamura also expressed serious concern over Houthi attacks in Bab al-Mandab and indicated that Japan aimed to broaden bilateral cooperation beyond oil under the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 framework, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
