SAUDI ARABIA'S relations with Japan were bolstered further as the two sides signed an accord on defense cooperation. The signing of the accord was overseen by Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense; and his Japanese counterpart Tomomi Inada in Tokyo. The event was attended by several officials from both the sides. Earlier, Prince Muhammad and Inada discussed bilateral defense and military relations between the two countries and ways and means to further enhance them, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. In other engagements of the day, Dr. Adel Al-Turaifi, minister of culture and information, and his Japanese counterpart, Hiroshi Hase, discussed joint Saudi-Japanese cultural strategy supporting cultural, media and innovative industries within the framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The two leaders also discussed an executive plan to activate the signed memorandum of understanding between the two countries in the field of enhancing cultural exchange. Dr. Al-Turaifi, also met with Chairman of the Japanese-Saudi Friendship Committee at Japanese Parliament, and several parliamentarians. During the meetings, the two sides reviewed Vision 2030 and discussed ways of enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Meanwhile, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida has described Saudi Arabia as an important economic partner and a key player in the region's stability. In remarks to the Arabic press newspaper on Thursday, the Japanese foreign minister said his country has ever been keen on promoting bilateral relations with the Kingdom at all levels. Kishida said that the Middle East was witnessing difficult challenges, represented by extremism, youth unemployment and instability, adding that Japan has pledged to work with Saudi Arabia to achieve coexistence and prosperity and promote moderation in the region. The Japanese foreign minister said his country was keen on strengthening partnership with the Kingdom and contributing to the achievement of stability in the Middle East. He noted that Japan was focusing on three main goals, namely contributing to economic reforms in Saudi Arabia, strengthening cooperation in culture and sports by promoting the Japanese culture in the Kingdom, and consolidating political dialogue to achieve stability in the Middle East. Kishida stressed the need to find a solution to the ongoing crisis in Syria and Yemen, adding that his country would actively engage in talks with the deputy crown prince to reach constructive means of cooperation in this regard.
