Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi arrived in the Gulf this week for talks with Saudi Arabia and Oman, as disruption around two of the region's crucial shipping routes places maritime security and the resilience of energy flows high on the agenda.
Mr Motegi met his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh on Wednesday and is due to travel to Oman on Thursday, where talks are expected to focus on regional security, energy and freedom of navigation. He is on a four-day regional tour.
The visit comes as Saudi Arabia works to maintain oil exports through the Red Sea amid renewed Houthi threats, while Oman is engaged in discussions with Iran over arrangements governing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
For Gulf states, Mr Motegi's itinerary underscores the growing interest among major Asian energy consumers in the security of the region's maritime routes, as prolonged disruption threatens energy supplies, trade and wider economic stability.
In Riyadh, Prince Faisal said Japan is a key economic partner for Saudi Arabia and the kingdom aims to capitalise on opportunities in both countries, according to a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.
“We see promising opportunities to expand co-operation in investment, energy, resources, supply chains, defence and technology, as well as in the exchange of expertise and capabilities, in a manner that supports our priorities and achieves our shared goals,” said Prince Faisal during the third strategic dialogue between the two countries.
He said the kingdom would remain a reliable partner for Japan across various sectors, including energy, and commended Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen economic resilience and promote stability in energy markets and global trade.
Prince Faisal also described maritime security as a shared priority, stressing the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation on international waterways in accordance with international law.
Saudi Arabia is one of Japan’s main crude oil suppliers, alongside the UAE.
In Muscat, Oman and Japan called for a final agreement and political solution to tensions involving Iran, while stressing the need to ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at a press conference, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said achieving sustainable security in the strait required lasting regional peace based on restraint, diplomacy and continued engagement.
Oman remains committed to maritime security and international law and rejects escalation or conflict, the minister said, adding that international efforts should be intensified to ensure the smooth flow of maritime transport and energy supplies.
Mr Motegi, for his part, said the situation with Iran was at a “very critical stage” and expressed hope for further constructive discussions to de-escalate tensions as soon as possible.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab Al Mandeb strait, and strengthening co-ordination between Japan and Oman on the issue.
The talks come as tension over Hormuz remains high. US President Donald Trump said this week that no talks were taking place with Iran and that the strait was open. Iran, however, said the waterway remained shut.
Shipping traffic through the vital channel on Wednesday was unchanged from the day before as discussions to end the war between the US and Iran remained deadlocked, according to the latest shipping data.
Before the war broke out on February 28, about one-fifth of global consumption was shipped through the waterway. Current flows are far below prewar levels.
The war has also affected the supply of refined fuels and drawn down inventories with less crude available to refiners.
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has forced Saudi Arabia to redirect increasing volumes of crude through its East-West pipeline to Yanbu, an alternative export route that is now also under pressure from renewed Houthi attacks and threats against Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea.
