The Japanese Consul General in Jeddah, Daisuke Yamamoto, announced that trade volume between Japan and Saudi Arabia has jumped to $36 billion, reflecting the depth of the growing strategic partnership between the two countries. This statement was made during a diplomatic reception held by the consulate to celebrate the birthday of the Emperor of Japan, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah, and the Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs branch, Farid Al-Shehri.
Deep-rooted historical ties
Saudi-Japanese relations span decades, with formal diplomatic ties established in 1955. Historically, this partnership has been based on complementarity, with the Kingdom serving as a reliable energy supplier to Japan during its rapid industrialization, while Japan was a major source of advanced technology and industrial expertise that contributed to the development of Saudi Arabia's infrastructure. This exchange, based on shared interests, has built a strong bridge of trust and economic cooperation that continues to evolve and diversify today.
Vision 2030: A key driver of partnership
Consul Yamamoto affirmed that the Saudi-Japanese Vision 2030, launched concurrently with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, represents the cornerstone of this flourishing cooperation. Trade volume has witnessed record growth of 50% since the Vision's inception, demonstrating its success in stimulating investment and expanding the horizons of cooperation. This cooperation is no longer limited to the traditional energy sector but has extended to vital and promising sectors such as petrochemicals, water desalination, the automotive industry, and electronics, in addition to emerging fields like renewable energy, green hydrogen, entertainment, and culture.
The Kingdom is a regional hub for Japanese investments
Yamamoto revealed that the number of Japanese companies investing directly in the Kingdom has risen to 118, with total investments estimated at approximately SAR 23.6 billion. More importantly, 18 of these companies have chosen Saudi Arabia as their regional headquarters. This move reflects strong confidence in the Saudi business environment and the Kingdom's ongoing economic reforms, and it reinforces its position as a key gateway for global companies to access the Middle East and North Africa markets, contributing to knowledge transfer and the creation of quality job opportunities.
Growing cultural and diplomatic cooperation
In addition to the economic sphere, diplomatic and cultural relations are witnessing significant momentum. The Consul noted that the mutual visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports came into effect last January, facilitating official institutional communication. On the popular level, Yamamoto praised the large turnout at the Matsuri District Festival in Jeddah, which attracted 12,000 visitors, considering it a true indicator of the growing interest in Japanese culture. The Consul concluded by extending an open invitation to visit Japan and participate in upcoming global events such as the 2026 Asian Games and Expo 2027, to further strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two nations.
