Jiro KoderaIt is great pleasure for me to celebrate together with the Saudi people the 79th birthday of His Majesty, the 125th Emperor of Japan Akihito. On this occasion, I would like to emphasize the Japanese Imperial Family and the Saudi Royal Family maintain a long-standing cordial relationship since the establishment of our diplomatic relation in 1955. I wish all happiness and good health for both imperial and royal families and their friendship will further grow and flourish. I arrived in Riyadh on Dec. 13. Though this is my first assignment in a Middle Eastern country, I understand that Saudi Arabia is a country with distinct tradition and fascinating culture. I'm very much pleased to work to enhance relationship between this country and Japan. I'm keen to learn Saudi tradition and culture which are based on Islam, and to make many good friends here. A delegation consisting of 10 Saudi youths visited Japan last month, thanks to General Presidency of Youth Welfare. Japan and Saudi Arabia have annually been exchanging youths based on a bilateral agreement since the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, then Crown Prince, visited Japan in 1998. This year in March, a Japanese youth delegation will in turn visit the Kingdom. This exchange program makes significant contribution to deeper mutual understanding between the people of the two countries. Besides, King Abdullah Scholarship Program annually enables a nearly 500 Saudi students to study engineering, medicine or science in Japan. The embassy of Japan in Saudi Arabia is promoting Japanese language study, traditional culture such as a traditional costume “Kimono,” and Japanese pop culture like films and cartoons. On the occasion of Janadriyyah Festival in April 2011, Japan had the honor to be selected as the guest country. Japan pavilion was visited by many Saudi men and women of all ages who appreciate the cultural exhibition. The embassy of Japan is planning to organize more such events which will introduce Japanese culture in a comprehensive manner. Please visit our website (http://www.ksa.emb-japan.go.jp/index.htm) for further information on the events. While many countries including Japan going through slowing down, Saudi Arabia plays a very important role to stabilize the world economy. Japan appreciates Saudi Arabia for maintaining stable supply to the world oil market. Japan takes part in the support to the world economy, especially, by making much financial contribution to International Monetary Fund. I am convinced that Japan and Saudi Arabia can work together further for the world economy. Saudi Arabia also plays an important role to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East. Japan appreciates Saudi Arabia's contribution, Arab Peace Initiative and GCC Initiative on Yemen. Japan, which is traditionally extending political and economic support to Palestine, voted for a Palestine “non-Member Observer State” Status to Palestine in the UN General Assembly. Japan intends to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in the field of defense. A Japanese Training Squadron visited Jeddah Islamic Port in July 2012, and Minesweeping Tender and Minesweeping Ocean of Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force made a good will call on King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam in October. Japanese commanders made honorary visits to the Saudi Navy on both occasions, and shared with the Saudi counterparts the importance of further cooperation. The relationship between Japan and Saudi Arabia need to be concentrated on trades, which were, in briefly, oil from Saudi Arabia to Japan and industrial products and cars from Japan to Saudi Arabia. Several Japanese companies have accomplished opening of new factories and offices and signing of new contracts on large investment in the areas of petro chemical industry manufacturing industry and insurance. I'm keen to actively support to enhance the promotion of Japanese technologies and expertise for infrastructure development in the areas of water, renewable energy, medicine, transport, etc. Human resources development is another area I wish to focus my efforts on thorough further development of vocational training facilities and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) technical cooperation. The 13th Japan-Saudi Arabia Business Council will be held in the Eastern Province next February, which will be followed by “Creative Japan Fashion Fair” focusing on women fashion in Riyadh. Such milestone events are expected to contribute to deepening the bilateral business relations. Finally but no less importantly, I'd like once again to express my deep appreciation for the support from Saudi government and people to Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011. All Japanese people, including those directly affected by the disaster, are continuing to strive with full force to recover from the disaster. In May 2012, the delegation participated in the opening ceremony of the photo exhibition of the Earthquake held at the King Abdulaziz Memorial Hall and explained to Saudi people their efforts for recovery from the disaster. Japan will never forget the spirit of solidarity and warmest support Saudi Arabia extended Japan which was facing the most difficult time. As Ambassador of Japan, I'm determined to do my best to further strengthen the traditionally excellent partnership and friendship which have between the two countries.
