Saudi Ambassador to Japan explores growth opportunities in Bilateral ties

• He emphasized the potential of the new relationship in exploring new energy sources that benefit both countries.
• Saudi Ambassador hoped that Saudi Vision 2030 would open doors to tourists and allow Japanese.
• He believes this shared commitment will ensure stability and pave the way for further decades.

Recently appointed Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Binzagr emphasized the ‘exceptional’ nature of the relationship between the two countries over the last 70 years. He expressed his belief that the next 70 years will be even more significant, as both nations strive to diversify beyond the traditional anchors of their relationship, foreseeing a future of mutual prosperity and growth.

Dr. Binzagr made these remarks during a press conference for Japanese media organized by Arab News Japan and held at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan on Friday. The conference took place on the occasion of the conclusion of last week’s Saudi Japan Business Forum, which saw the attendance of prominent Saudi ministers and business executives.

Ambassador Binzagr described the way forward as ‘an evolution of priorities’, highlighting the potential of the new relationship in exploring new sources of energy that will benefit both countries.
He emphasized the importance of asserting their relevance in new global realities, which, he believes, will involve working together to co-create values in emerging technologies, as well as elements of soft power such as sports and entertainment.

Ambassador Binzagr stated that there has always been a tremendous interest in Japan in Saudi Arabia, stemming from the products Japan produced and exported to the world, but now “including softer products such as anime that have had a profound effect on a rising curiosity from a whole generation in Saudi Arabia that is increasingly choosing Japan as a destination to visit.”

Dr. Binzagr highlighted the deep appeal of Japanese culture to the youth of Saudi Arabia, not just at a superficial level, but at a profound level that has sparked a desire to visit and study in Japan, to learn Japanese, and to understand the history and culture of the country. He expressed his belief that this cultural dimension will be an additional pillar in the already strong relationship between the two nations, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultures.

The Ambassador hopes that a reciprocal feeling will develop among the Japanese to learn more about Saudi Arabia but admits that the desired level hasn’t been reached yet. Now, he says, Saudi Vision 2030 has opened the doors to tourists and allowed Japanese and others the opportunity to discover more about the history and culture of the Kingdom. He believes that this shared commitment will not only ensure the stability of their relations but also pave the way for further decades of friendly and fruitful collaboration between the two nations.

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