Doha: The third Japan-Qatar Strategic Dialogue will be hosted in Qatar this year, with the exact date yet to be set, Ambassador of Japan to Qatar HE Naoto Hisajima has said. According to the envoy, the dialogue will build upon the strategic partnership formed in July 2023 between Prime Minister Kishida and the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with high-level discussions covering regional developments, economic ties, security policy, and cultural exchanges.
Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the 65th birthday celebrations of His Majesty Emperor of Japan on Monday, Hisajima said the bilateral relationship between Qatar and Japan has grown significantly, extending beyond energy to include foreign policy, economic investment, security, education, and culture.
“Japan commends Qatar for its pivotal role as a mediator in securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as well as facilitating the release of hostages,” the envoy said, stressing the importance of upholding the Gaza ceasefire and addressing the humanitarian crisis.
Hisajima expressed Japan’s wish to work with Qatar and regional partners toward a two-state solution and long-term regional peace, adding Japan recognizes Qatar’s influential role in advancing Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiatives.
“The GCC’s global influence is increasing, and significant opportunities exist for Japan and the GCC to benefit from collaboration. Discussions for a Japan-GCC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) resumed last December in Riyadh, marking important strides in regional economic cooperation,” he stated.
On trade relations, he pointed out the longstanding energy partnership between Japan and Qatar, mentioning Japan was Qatar’s first LNG customer and has played a significant role in supporting the growth of Qatar’s gas industry. Total trade between the two countries reached $6.1 billion in exports from Qatar and $1.6 billion in imports from Japan for 2024, substantially driven by automobile imports.
“Japan’s demand for LNG is growing due to increased energy needs for data centres, which creates opportunities for more trade. Japanese companies are also exploring Qatar’s healthcare sector for investment opportunities leveraging Japanese technological expertise,” he added.
Hisajima elaborated on Qatari investments in Japan, particularly large-scale projects including semiconductor manufacturing. He also highlighted Japanese interests in Qatar’s blue ammonia production and carbon capture technologies as both countries work toward building a hydrogen supply chain by 2030, aligned with Qatar’s sustainability goals.
The ambassador highlighted significant advancements in security cooperation, noting the visit of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force’s destroyer ‘Murasame’ to Doha last November. He also mentioned the successful conduct of the first Japan-Qatar Military-to-Military Dialogue and the Japan-Qatar Defence Ministerial Meeting held recently, which reinforced security collaborations.
Responding to inquiries about tourism, the envoy noted enhanced air links between Qatar and Japan have bolstered tourism and cultural exchanges, facilitated partly by the visa waiver programme for Qatari nationals. Japan’s National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has been instrumental in promoting Japanese tourism and cultural initiatives within Qatar.
Outstanding educational collaborations are also on the rise, as seen through partnerships between institutions such as Qatar University and Waseda University. Hisajima emphasized the increasing number of Qatari students traveling to Japan, highlighting the rising interest in educational exchange.
Welcoming young Qataris eager to learn Japanese and pursue higher education, he extended an invitation for Qatari nationals and residents to visit Osaka and attend the World Expo 2025, set to take place from April 13 to October 13, 2025, hosted by Japan and Bureau International des Expositions.