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28 March 2024

Mohamed meets Japanese Emperor

General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets Emperor Akihito of Japan in Tokyo. (Wam)

Published
By Wam

General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces, today met with His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan at Tokyo Imperial Palace as part of Sheikh Mohamed's current official visit to Japan.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the Japanese Emperor, wishing him good health and happiness and continued progress and prosperity for the friendly people of Japan.

The Emperor of Japan welcomed the visit of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and his accompanying delegation, commending the relations of cooperation between the two countries in many areas in light of the strong historical ties of friendship between the two countries that are continuously developing and growing.

His Majesty the Emperor of Japan asked Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to convey his greetings to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, wishing the UAE government and people further progress, prosperity and development.

His Majesty also hailed the care given by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa and his special interest in developing cooperation and boosting the march of friendly relations between the two countries to new heights of understanding and rapprochement and cooperation.

The Japanese Emperor also highlighted the importance of exchanging such visits between the two countries for the development and enhancement of friendly relations and strengthening joint bilateral work for the benefit of the two peoples, noting that this visit is considered to be a new addition to the march of relations between the two countries, which is increasingly entrenched day by day.

Sheikh Mohamed exchanged cordial talks with the Emperor of Japan on what links both countries and the two friendly peoples, highlighting the pride of the UAE's leadership with these relations and its advanced levels in all areas. He also expressed his appreciation to His Majesty the Emperor of Japan for his country's keenness to develop and consolidate aspects of bilateral cooperation with the UAE at all levels.

Sheikh Mohamed highlighted the UAE's keenness to boost these relations describing relations between the two countries as characterised by deep vision and agreed common aspirations with a desire for developing and enrich it to serve the common interests and meet the aspirations and ambitions of the two countries.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Majesty the Emperor of Japan for the hospitality and warm reception extended to him and the accompanying delegation, and also expressed his happiness to visit Japan for the development of relations and efforts to push them to broader horizons.

Sheikh Mohamed attended a luncheon hosted by His Majesty the Emperor at the Imperial Palace, which was attended by H.R.H. Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and the delegation accompanying Sheikh Mohamed during his visit, including Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, Nasser Ahmed Al Suweidi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Advisor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Director of the Department of East Asia and Pacific, Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Crown Prince's Court, Abdulla Nasser Al Suwaidi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Saeed Ali Yousef Al Nowais, U.A.E. Ambassador to Japan.

The banquet was also attended by a number of Japanese senior officials.

Joint Statement at conclusion of Mohamed bin Zayed visit to Japan

On the occasion of the official visit of  General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces, to Japan on February 25 and 26, Japan and the UAE welcomed the steady development of bilateral cooperation and based on this visit issued the following joint statement:

Concrete efforts for strengthening the comprehensive partnership between Japan and United Arab Emirates towards Stability and Prosperity - Based on the historic friendship relations and the excellent strategic partnership between the two countries, Japan and the United Arab Emirates expressed their intention to further strengthen the comprehensive partnership in the political, economic and cultural fields to reflect the direction and objectives of leaders in both countries with the view of achieving the common goals and the interests of the two friendly peoples through the following guidelines:

Political Cooperation: Both sides welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation on Improving the Work of a Joint Committee for Cooperation between Japan and the United Arab Emirates, and expressed their intention to promote policy coordination on a wide range of issues between the two countries utilising the Joint Committee.

Security Cooperation: General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, welcomed Japan's determination to even more proactively contribute to peace and stability in the world, including the Middle East, from the prospective of the policy of "Proactive Contribution to Peace" based on the principle of international cooperation and both sides decided to work together for the common goals, such as maritime security, including the safety of the sea lanes of communications, counter-piracy, non-proliferation, anti-terrorism, and disaster relief.

Defence Cooperation: Both sides acknowledged the importance of further exchange of defence cooperation and welcomed visits exchange between senior defence officials.

Economic Cooperation: The two sides welcomed the excellent cooperation in the field of oil supply, exploration and production, as well as cooperation in research, development and refining. Both sides emphasised the importance of a long-term partnership between Japan and the United Arab Emirates regarding oil development cooperation, and welcomed that a mutually complementary relationship in oil development has advanced through such measures as technological collaboration, training programmes, financial cooperation and refining cooperation.

In this view, they decided to expand the capacity of the Joint Oil Stockpiling up to one million kilolitres, and welcomed the launching of negotiations on the mutual investment agreement in 2014, and the steady progress in the procedures in both countries towards the conclusion of the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United Arab Emirates for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy and the Convention between Japan and the United Arab Emirates for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income.

The two sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, for the purpose of promoting cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, namely, in areas such as human capacity building, safety enhancement and emergency preparedness based on lessons learned from the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident.

The two sides also welcomed the signing of Memorandums of Cooperation between JCCME and Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and between JCCME and Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council and a Memorandum of Understanding between Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar) on the cooperation for environment-friendly projects, and the establishment of a new credit line by Nippon Export and Investment Insurance(NEXI), and acknowledged the importance of mutual support in the finance sector and welcomed Japan's mission to Abu Dhabi to explain its economy policy and investment opportunities. They also welcomed the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding between Khalifa Fund and the Organisation for Small and Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation on the promotion of ongoing cooperation between the two sides.

Aviation Cooperation: The two sides welcomed the Exchanges of Notes on the new Schedule to the Agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Japan for Air Services, and recalled that Emirates Airline has operated daily direct flights between Dubai and Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) since June 2013 and expressed their expectations that these flights will further contribute to the exchanges between the two friendly peoples.

Consular Cooperation: The United Arab Emirates welcomed that since last October, the Government of Japan has begun issuing three-year multiple entry visas to UAE nationals who stay in Japan for up to 90 days per visit for the purpose of business, sight-seeing and recreation. Upon a request from the United Arab Emirates, Japan decided to study whether to waive visas for UAE ordinary passport holders reviewing the implementation of issuing multiple entry visas.

Food Imports: The two sides expressed their intention to continue discussions to ease and lift the restrictions on the imports of Japanese food put in place after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011.

Education and Scientific Cooperation: Both sides expressed their expectation to such cooperation in the cultural and educational fields in a way that will fulfil the interests of the peoples of both countries and welcomed the tangible progress and the fact that the Government of Japan has opened an office in Abu Dhabi Education Council. The two sides also welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding between Tokyo University, the Petroleum Institute and the Research Centre Abu Dhabi on the establishment of frameworks of joint research studies, and both sides expressed their expectation to further deepening such academic cooperation. For the purpose of strengthening the youth and students exchanges, Prime Minister Abe expressed his intention to invite U.A.E.'s elementary to high school students to Japan and to promote sports cooperation including Judo.

Medical Cooperation: The two sides affirmed the importance of cooperation in the medical field, where Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan will, by the end of 2014, start receiving UAE patients in the advanced medical institution in Japan, and that an exclusive service desk will be established for them. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces, welcomed that and expressed his expectation to accelerate its domestic procedures to that end.

Environment Cooperation: The two sides affirmed the importance of expertise exchanges between the two countries and welcome the dispatch of technical experts from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to Abu Dhabi and Dubai with the view of discussing technical assistance in the fields of waste management, aquaculture and fisheries.

Humanitarian and Development Cooperation: The two sides welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development of the UAE for promotion of cooperation and understanding in the fields of humanitarian aid and international development.

Sport Fields Cooperation: The two sides affirmed the development of the sport fields through the initiative of Prime Minister Abe, "Sport for Tomorrow", together with the United Arab Emirates towards the success of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

Mohamed bin Zayed visits Urban Farm Building in Tokyo

General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces, has visited the "Urban Farm Building", located in the heart of the Japanese capital, Tokyo.

The building's officials and supervisors welcomed the visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, expressing their pleasure at the opportunity to brief Sheikh Mohamed on this unique agricultural experience.

Sheikh Mohamed toured the nine-storey building accompanied by Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister.

Sheikh Mohamed was briefed on the components of the building, which covers an area of 43,000 cubic feet, and contains 200 types of fruits and vegetables, rice and some spices.

He also listened to the goals of those responsible for the building, which focused on energy saving and increasing the efficiency of consumption, as well as generating psychological comfort for employees in the atmosphere with "green" air.

At the end of his tour, Sheikh Mohamed expressed his satisfaction with the care and interest shown by adopting the concepts of feasible, innovative agricultural production and self-sufficiency, commending the efforts of those in charge of the project as they are providing an agricultural innovative model that can be applicable in various buildings without the need for huge amounts of space.

Mohamed bin Zayed receives UAE students in Japan

General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces has received 52 U.A.E. scholarship students currently studying in a number of Japanese universities, at his residence in Tokyo.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed was briefed on the academic disciplines of students and their living conditions in Japan and urged them to achieve academic success in their endeavours to contribute to the process of building the U.A.E..

Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, attended the meeting.

Sheikh Mohamed stressed that Emirati students abroad are ambassadors for their country and they should reflect the positive image of the U.A.E., which is looking towards its sons abroad, who are making their way armed with science and knowledge, to contribute with their expertise in the march of progress and prosperity witnessed by the state in all fields.

Sheikh Mohamed confirmed the U.A.E.'s interest in Emirati students and the follow-up of their educational conditions, and the wise leadership's keenness to provide all ways and means that will help them make more effort and persevere to achieve their goals in obtaining advanced degrees to serve the nation.

Sheikh Mohamed said that, "The U.A.E. and its leadership and people are hoping for much from you, you are a wealth for the nation's homeland and its future and you are the best successful investment. Through you we can send a message abroad that we have ambitious national cadres, which reflect the best representation of their country.

Sheikh Mohamed expressed his pleasure at meeting the students and spoke of his pride in them, despite their distance from their homeland, urging them to exert more efforts in their studies and to pay attention to their higher education.

For their part, the Emirati students expressed their pleasure and pride in meeting Sheikh Mohamed and pledged to him that they will honour the expectations of the country's leadership in their education in order to get the highest academic degrees, enabling them to participate in the march of progress of the nation. They also expressed their appreciation for everything that is being provided for them in terms of services and support to allow them to continue their march in an easy and comfortable way.

UAE, Japan sign number of agreements, MoUs

General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, witnessed the signing ceremony of a number of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in Tokyo on Wednesday.

The two sides signed the schedules on amending the Air Services Agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Japan. The deal was signed by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, while on behalf of Japan by Fumio Kishida, Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs.

They also signed an MoU on the development of joint cooperation committee work between the UAE's Ministry of Development and International Cooperation and Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It aims to boost joint cooperation and understanding over the implementation of international development initiatives and international aid in areas of interest and concern. The MoU was signed by the UAE and Japan Foreign Ministers.

UAE Energy Minister Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, and Toshimitsu Motegi, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry signed MoU on the peaceful use of nuclear energy in the UAE.

Abdullah Saeed Al Darmeki, CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, and Hiroshi Takada, Chairman and CEO of Small and Medium Enterprise and Regional Innovation in Japan, signed an agreement on extension and amendment of the MoU between the Khalifa Fund and SME and Regional Innovation in Japan.

The event was attended by Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, the delegation accompanying Sheikh Mohamed and senior Japanese officials.