Consul General of Japan Jun Yoshida, right, and Ambassador Mohammed Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Makkah Region, at celebrations marking the 79th Birthday of the Emperor of Japan. — SG photo Roberta Fedele Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — Celebrations for the 79th birthday of Akito, the 125th Emperor of Japan who ascended the throne in 1989, took place on Tuesday at the residence of Consul General of Japan Jun Yoshida. Yoshida and Ambassador Mohammed Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Makkah Province, highlighted the common values and important economic and commercial cooperation on which the relationships between Japan and Saudi Arabia are based. Yoshida said: “Diplomatic relations with the Kingdom were established in 1955. “Since then, the two countries consolidated bilateral relations by extending their important cooperation in the energy sector to other fields including water, renewable energy, vocational training and youth exchange. “The Japanese government and companies are increasing opportunities for Saudis willing to study in Japan. “More than 400 Saudi students are currently studying in our universities thanks to the King Abdullah Scholarship Program.” Al-Tayeb agreed both countries were making great efforts to foster relations in the education sector and took the opportunity to express his warmest wishes to Japan on the occasion of this important celebration. He said: “I would like to present my sincere congratulations to His Majesty, the Imperial family and the dear Japanese people. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is building strategic relationships with Japan in key sectors such as sustainable development, health, agriculture, industry, renewable energy and particularly education, the basis for any country's development and progress. “Our government allocates a respectful percentage of its budget to this sector. “We are very proud, in this regard, that more than 400 Saudis are studying at Japanese universities and doors are open from our side to duplicate this number as soon as possible.”
