Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, is conducting an official working visit to Japan from April 13 to 16. During his visit, he chaired the second ministerial meeting of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and held several bilateral meetings with Japanese government officials and private sector partners, with the attendance of Shihab Ahmed Al Fahim, UAE Ambassador to Japan.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber also met with Takeshi Iwaya, Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressing his appreciation for the strong and evolving relationship between the UAE and Japan within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
UAE, Japan review opportunities for economic cooperation in key sectors
The ministerial meeting reviewed updates on the implementation of joint projects, programs and initiatives and explored opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation in various fields of mutual interest. The two sides co-chaired the second ministerial meeting of the partnership, with working groups presenting outcomes in key areas, including trade, investment, energy and industry.
Al Jaber’s visit also included bilateral meetings with Yuki Moto, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary and members of the Japanese Parliament.
Discussions between the UAE and Japan focused on opportunities for economic cooperation in vital sectors such as trade, investment, energy, renewable energy, industry and advanced technology, to serve mutual interests and promote sustainable economic growth in both countries.
Al Jaber also met with CEOs of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Mitsui, INPEX, JERA and Mitsubishi to discuss strengthening existing partnerships and exploring new areas of collaboration between the two countries’ private sectors.
The visit comes as the total trade volume between the two countries reached about $49.6 billion in 2024, including oil-related products, while non-oil trade amounted to around $17.5 billion, marking a slight growth of 1.2 percent compared to 2023. With that, the UAE remains Japan’s top trading partner among GCC countries in terms of imports and exports, receiving 52 percent of Japan’s exports to GCC countries. Meanwhile, Japan is the UAE’s 9th largest global trading partner.
UAE, Japan bolster energy partnership
During the visit, ADNOC announced the signing of a 15-year sales and purchase agreement with Mitsui & Co. for the supply of up to 0.6 million tons per annum of LNG from its lower-carbon Ruwais LNG project, reinforcing the UAE-Japan energy partnership and ADNOC’s commitment to supporting energy security through reliable, cleaner fuel sources.
In addition, the Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry officially welcomed the low-carbon ammonia produced by Fertiglobe and supplied by ADNOC. The certified low-carbon ammonia, enabled by carbon capture and storage in Abu Dhabi, will supply Japan with clean electricity using the world’s first fully ammonia-powered turbine.
Enhanced cooperation in space industry
Earlier this year, Al Jaber and Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry discussed ways to enhance cooperation and explore opportunities to further develop the space industry in both countries. The collaboration will take place under a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in coordination with the UAE Space Agency and other relevant entities. Both sides aim to conclude and sign the MoC within a year.
This initiative is part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Initiative between the two nations, signed in September 2022, and builds on the outcomes of the UAE-Japan Space Public-Private Workshop held alongside the Abu Dhabi Space Debate conference in December 2024. It marks a significant step towards strengthening space collaboration between the two countries.
The strategic partnership aligns with the UAE Space Agency’s initiatives, including the Space Economic Zones program, which supports the establishment and sustainability of local companies through collaboration with strategic partners. The program also focuses on creating an integrated business environment to meet local and international needs, foster innovation and commercialize space technologies, contributing to the growth of a diverse and sustainable knowledge economy.
The two sides also discussed developing a roadmap for the space industry in both countries and organizing seminars to implement the roadmap.
