ABU DHABI // The UAE and Japan can look forward to a new era of promising cooperation.
That was the message from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, when he arrived in Toyko on an official visit.
During a meeting on Tuesday with Toshimitsu Motegi, Japan’s economy and trade minister, Sheikh Mohammed said the countries could share expertise in areas such as education, industry, technology and renewable energy.
They will also continue efforts to support peace and stability in the region, Sheikh Mohammed said.
During the two-day visit, Sheikh Mohammed will also meet Emperor Akihito and the prime minister, Shinzo Abe.
“I have come back to Japan after my visit in 2007, demonstrating that relations between the two countries are based on a strong foundation driving it forward to further growth and development in all fields and to serve the common interests of the two countries and the two friendly peoples,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“It also confirms that the relations between the two countries are strategic and necessary for the continued progress and prosperity of our peoples.”
The visit to Japan is part of an East Asian tour that includes a two-day official visit to South Korea to meet the president, Park Geun-hye, and the prime minister, Jung Hong-won.
Sheikh Mohammed said Japan “represents a particular importance” in the UAE’s drive to strengthen diplomatic ties with other countries because of its successful development model.
He referred to recent cooperation agreements, the development of trade in goods and services and investment.
During a visit by Mr Abe to the UAE last May, the two countries signed agreements on nuclear cooperation, patient transfers to Japan, the building of a Japanese medical centre in Al Ain Hospital, the opening of a Japanese school in the UAE and an education exchange.
Last month, Mr Motegi met high-level UAE officials in Abu Dhabi to discuss areas of cooperation in education, investment, medical services and oil.
The UAE aims to boost its knowledge-based economy and can benefit from Japanese experience in particular, Sheikh Mohammed said on Tuesday.
Promoting study there could “maximise the benefits of the scientific and technological renaissance taking place in Japan”.
Japan is the top trade partner for many countries and a gateway to East Asia, as well as the world’s third largest economic power.
UAE exports to Japan amounted to about US$22 billion (Dh80bn) – mainly crude oil and natural gas – in 2009. Imports of products from Japan, such as cars and machinery, stood at $6.9bn.
Japan welcomed Sheikh Mohammed’s visit “from the bottom of the heart”, the Japanese embassy in the UAE said on Tuesday.
“In the beginning, relations were mainly based on oil trade. Nevertheless, things have changed,” said Kenji Hirata, the charge d’affaires.
The UAE continues to be one of the main sources of Japan’s energy supply and hosts the largest Japanese community in the Middle East and North Africa – about 3,500 expatriates.
“Considering these changes, Japan has been making efforts to expand its relations with the UAE to integrate many traditionally uncovered areas,” Mr Hirata said. He described Mr Abe’s May visit to the UAE as an important step towards those efforts.
Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy, and Saeed Al Nowais, UAE Ambassador to Japan, accompanied Sheikh Mohammed as part of the high-level delegation, with officials from Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority.
Sheikh Mohammed also toured the Meiji Shrine, a building dedicated to the emperor who died in 1912.
lcarroll@thenational.ae
* Additional reporting by Wam
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Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
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Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV
Power: 360bhp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh282,870
On sale: now
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Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
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Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
India squad for fourth and fifth Tests
Kohli (c), Dhawan, Rahul, Shaw, Pujara, Rahane (vc), Karun, Karthik (wk), Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Pandya, Ishant, Shami, Umesh, Bumrah, Thakur, Vihari
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Company profile
Company name: Dharma
Date started: 2018
Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: TravelTech
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
