The Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, met with King of Saudi Arabia, King Salman. (Image via ARAB NEWS)

Abe meets King Salman in Saudi Arabia

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Politics & Economic
News Flash Japan
Jan 13, 2020
1902
The Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, met the King of Saudi Arabia, King Salman, on Sunday. The visit to Saudi Arabia was Abe’s third. Abe’s state visit to Arab states across the Gulf is to promote peace and to alleviate the ongoing tension between two of its allies, the United States (U.S) and Iran.

Japan is an ally of both the U.S and Iran. While maintaining a deep alliance with the U.S, Japan also relies on Iran for crude oil. Iran’s crude oil contributed to 5 percent of Japan’s oil imports. Trying to be neutral, Japan still sent its Self Defense Forces (SDF) to guard shipments in the Gulf; yet, it did not join the U.S-led coalition.

Meanwhile, the U.S severed its ties with Iran by withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, JCPOA, in 2018, and imposed a round of economic sanctions instead.

For Japan, the security of the Persian Gulf’s waters and oil supply from the Middle East is a national priority. About 90 percent of the oil in Japan came from the Middle East.

Arriving on Saturday evening in Riyadh, Abe was welcomed and hosted for lunch by King Salman on Sunday afternoon. Not only King Salman but also Abe met with Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Abe is meeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the desert region of Al-Ula, a famous tourist destination.

Saudi Arabia has accounted for about 39 percent of Japan’s crude oil imports. Iran could not export its oil as usual to Japan because of the sanctions from the U.S.

Tomorrow, Abe is scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman on Wednesday. In the UAE, Abe is expected to meet Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Zayed, and other Emirati figures. In Oman, Abe will meet Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, the successor of Sultan Qaboos bin Said who passed away last Saturday due to colon cancer.

During his state visit, Abe is accompanied by his delegation, including ministers for boosting trade and business ties.

Source: https://bit.ly/37V1AdQ

Politics , Diplomatic , Bilateral , State-Visit , Conflict , Military , Middle-East , Saudi-Arabia , King-Salman , Asia , Japan , Shinzo-Abe , Trade , Investment , Oil , Finance , Economy