The UAE and Japan discuss developments in bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation in the energy, industry and trade sectors

TOKYO, 17 December 2025 – His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Managing Director and CEO of ADNOC and its Group of Companies, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Envoy to Japan, made an official visit to Tokyo during the period from 16 to 17 December 2025, during which he held a number of bilateral meetings with senior officials in the Japanese government, in addition to meetings with the heads of a number of Japanese companies in the private sector, in the presence of His Excellency Shehab Ahmed Al Fahim, the UAE Ambassador to Japan, with the aim of enhancing Cooperation in priority areas between the two countries.

During the visit, His Excellency met with His Excellency Toshimitsu Motegi, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, where the depth of the distinguished bilateral relations between the UAE and Japan was emphasized, and the common keenness to strengthen them, while praising the continuous development of the bilateral relationship within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

During the meeting, the course of cooperation between the two sides in various fields was reviewed, and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation were discussed in a way that supports stability and serves the mutual interests of the two friendly countries.

His Excellency met with His Excellency Ryusei Akazawa, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and during the meeting the two sides discussed developments in cooperation in the energy, industry and advanced technology sectors, and opportunities for cooperation in vital economic sectors, including energy and renewable energy, trade, industry, advanced technology, and investment.

The latest developments in the ongoing negotiations between the UAE and Japan were discussed to reach a comprehensive economic partnership agreement between the two friendly countries, with the aim of consolidating trade and investment ties and providing an effective platform for building partnerships between the business communities and the private sector on both sides.

During the meeting, developments in joint projects between the two sides were also reviewed, and ways to expand the horizons of bilateral cooperation and develop partnerships were discussed in order to achieve common interests and support sustainable economic growth.

His Excellency met with representatives of the Japanese Cooperation Center for the Middle East, where the role of the Center in supporting economic and industrial relations between the UAE and Japan, and enhancing cooperation between the public and private sectors, was reviewed, in addition to reviewing joint initiatives and programs that contribute to expanding investment partnerships and exchanging experiences in priority sectors.

The visit program included a number of meetings with the CEOs of major Japanese companies, including the “Cosmo Energy” Group, which operates in the fields of oil refining, fuel and renewable energy, the “Inpex” Company, which specializes in exploration and production activities, the “Jera” Company in the fields of electricity, liquefied natural gas, hydrogen and ammonia, the “Mitsui” Company, one of the largest multi-sector trade and investment companies, and the “Mizuho” Financial Group.

It is noteworthy that the total trade exchange between the two countries in 2024 amounted to about 49.6 billion dollars (including oil products), while the non-oil trade exchange amounted to about 64.1 billion dirhams (17.5 billion dollars), achieving a growth of 1% compared to 2023.

The UAE is the first trading partner of Japan in the Arab world and the seventh largest in the world. In contrast, Japan is the ninth largest trading partner of the UAE in the world.

During the first nine months of 2025, the value of non-oil trade exchange between the two countries reached 55 billion dirhams ($15 billion), with a growth rate of 21.4% compared to the same period in 2024.

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