• Pupils greet President Sheikh Mohamed, who was then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Qasr Al Watan in 2020. All photos: Eissa Al Hammadi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Pupils greet President Sheikh Mohamed, who was then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Qasr Al Watan in 2020. All photos: Eissa Al Hammadi for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • The leaders display their Expo 2020 Dubai bracelets.
    The leaders display their Expo 2020 Dubai bracelets.
  • Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Abe stand for the UAE national anthem.
    Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Abe stand for the UAE national anthem.
  • The Japanese prime minister signs the guest book during the reception at Qasr Al Watan.
    The Japanese prime minister signs the guest book during the reception at Qasr Al Watan.
  • Sheikh Mohamed welcomes Mr Abe as he arrives at the meeting.
    Sheikh Mohamed welcomes Mr Abe as he arrives at the meeting.
  • The UAE national anthem is played at the reception at Qasr Al Watan.
    The UAE national anthem is played at the reception at Qasr Al Watan.
  • Pupils waving UAE and Japanese flags greet Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Abe.
    Pupils waving UAE and Japanese flags greet Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Abe.
  • The leaders at Qasr Al Watan.
    The leaders at Qasr Al Watan.
  • Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Abe stand for the UAE national anthem.
    Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Abe stand for the UAE national anthem.

Government

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives in Abu Dhabi

The visit is part of a wider tour of the Gulf this week

The National

January 13, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Japan's Prime Minister arrived to the UAE on Monday as part of a wider tour of the Gulf.

Shinzo Abe travelled to Abu Dhabi from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and is also scheduled to visit Oman this week.

Mr Abe was welcomed at the Presidential Flight terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and chairman and chief executive of Adnoc Group, along with a number of senior government officials.

Later, he met Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, at the Presidential Palace in the country's capital.

The two leaders reviewed the latest regional developments and potential for increased collaboration between the two countries.

"I welcome the Prime Minister of Japan to Abu Dhabi. UAE-Japan relations are historic and based on trust, cooperation, respect and mutual interests," Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said.

"We are both keen to enhance this legacy for the good of our nations."

The Crown Prince welcomed Mr Abe to the UAE to the palace with an official reception ceremony, complete with a military display.

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Abe witnessed the signing of an energy co-operation agreement between Supreme Petroleum Council, represented by Adnoc, and Japan's Agency for Natural Resources and Energy.

The UAE and Japan already enjoy strong and broad co-operation, under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Initiative, but energy ties are particularly critical.

The UAE is the second largest exporter of crude oil to Japan after Saudi Arabia. In 2017, Japan imported Dh57.3 billion worth of oil from the UAE, according to the Japan External Trade Organisation.

Mr Abe last visited the UAE in April 2018, when he spent two days visiting the Founder's Memorial and Wahat Al Karama, and attending the Japan-UAE Business Forum in Abu Dhabi.

During the visit, the two countries agreed to increase trade in areas including renewable energy, advanced robots, artificial intelligence and health care.

More recently, in October last year, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, met Mr Abe in Tokyo.

Sheikh Hazza conveyed the greetings of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and their wishes for Japan to achieve further progress and prosperity.

UAE