Qatar and Japan have compatible visions on settling global crises, placing dialogue based on the principles of equality and adherence to international law as a basis for achieving international peace and security. In late January, the second strategic dialogue session between the governments of the State of Qatar and Japan was held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo.
During the session, the two sides discussed expanding joint investments in the field of energy, enhancing cultural relations, cooperation and exchanging experiences in the field of cybersecurity, in addition to enhancing cooperation in the defense field, exchanging expertise in the technological field, and promoting private investments and exchanging visits by businessmen in the two countries. The two sides also agreed to exchange notes on exempting Qatari citizens from entry visas by introducing the pre-registration system for Qatari travelers to Japan.
The fourth round of political consultations between the State of Qatar and Japan was held in Doha in mid-June. During the consultations, the two sides discussed aspects of bilateral cooperation and ways of promoting them.
Japan is considered one of the most important trading partners of the State of Qatar, especially in the field of energy. The State of Qatar is one of the main LNG suppliers to Japan, which is the first trading partner of the State of Qatar. The volume of trade exchange between the two countries has increased in recent years. Qatar's exports to Japan in 2021 amounted to more than QR 43 billion, while imports reached more than QR 3 billion, achieving a trade surplus of more than QR 39 billion for Qatar.
Major Japanese companies contribute to vital infrastructure projects in Qatar, such as the Doha Metro, Hamad International Airport, LNG-related expansion projects, the giant solar power plant in Al-Kharsaah, and others.
Cooperation between the two countries has also expanded beyond energy and infrastructure projects to include cooperation in promising projects, such as joint investment in power plants in other countries, the production of new types of clean energy, the human genome project which aims to obtain more accurate and applicable medical treatment for all people, the Golden Pass LNG project, the Es'hailSat satellite project, a plant for growing vegetables without soil, Qatar University support for Islamic studies in Japan, and an experimental plant for desalination of industrial wastewater.
In the humanitarian field, Qatar provided support to the Japanese stranded in other countries at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, and evacuated the Japanese from Afghanistan. Moreover, Qatar provided support to the Japanese people after natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, through the Qatar Friendship Fund for the reconstruction of Onagawa, which was devastated by a tsunami in March 2011.
Japan is located in Northeast Asia between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. It consists of a long chain of islands that extend for about 3,000 kilometers, with an area of 378,000 square kilometers and a population of more than 127 million people.
The Japanese economy is the third largest economy in the world in terms of gross domestic product after the United States of America and China. Japan also occupies second place in the field of communications and biotechnology and is witnessing continuous development in the fields of pharmaceutical and aerospace industries.
Japan enjoys its global position by relying on heavy industry based on the conversion of imported raw materials. The country is the first producer of iron and steel in the world, the third power in oil refining, and the first producer of cars. Industry is considered one of the pillars of Japan's economic power. In this sector, Japan comes second in the world after the United States and occupies a dominant position in the field of shipbuilding, contributes to 40% of the global production of ships, and owns the second largest commercial fleet in the world.
Japan is among the world's largest producers and exporters of automobiles, electronic equipment, machinery, steel, non-ferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles and processed foods.
Source: Qatar News Agency