Envoy highlights Japan's expanding ties with Qatar at GU-Q Ambassador Speaker Series

Doha, Qatar:As part of Georgetown University in Qatar s (GU Q) Ambassador Speaker Series, Japan s Ambassador to Qatar, H E Naoto Hisajima, delivered a...

Doha, Qatar: As part of Georgetown University in Qatar’s (GU-Q) Ambassador Speaker Series, Japan’s Ambassador to Qatar, H E Naoto Hisajima, delivered a lecture titled “From the Frontlines of Japanese Diplomacy: Cooperation with Qatar and Global Missions,” offering an in-depth look at Japan’s growing strategic engagement with Qatar and the wider region, yesterday.

Drawing on nearly four decades of experience in Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Hisajima described how Japan’s diplomacy is anchored in purposeful partnerships and sustained people-to-people ties. “Diplomacy is not limited to formal institutions,” he said. “It thrives through authentic relationships that deepen mutual understanding.”

The event opened with remarks from GU-Q Dean Dr. Safwan M Masri, who underscored the historical depth of the bilateral relationship. Referencing a Japanese expression, he noted that “every encounter is a minor miracle… even if the same people gather again, the exact constellation of time, place, and feeling never returns.” Dr. Masri highlighted milestones from energy cooperation to humanitarian assistance and praised Japan’s contributions to regional stability.

In his keynote, Ambassador Hisajima outlined the multi-tiered political framework that shapes Qatar–Japan cooperation, including summit-level meetings, discussions between the leadership of both countries, foreign ministers’ dialogues, and foreign policy consultations.