Japan hails Qatar’s mediation role, seeks deeper strategic ties

Doha, Qatar: Japan has reaffirmed the strength of its strategic partnership with Qatar and expressed strong appreciation for Doha s growing role as a...

Doha, Qatar: Japan has reaffirmed the strength of its strategic partnership with Qatar and expressed strong appreciation for Doha’s growing role as a key international mediator, as senior officials from both countries convened in Doha for the Third Qatar–Japan Strategic Dialogue.

The dialogue, co-chaired yesterday by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Toshimitsu Motegi, marked another milestone in the steadily expanding bilateral relationship between the two nations.

Speaking to journalists following the talks, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Secretary and Director-General for Press and Public Diplomacy, Kitamura Toshihiro, said the visit underscored Japan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Qatar across diplomacy, energy, security, and advanced technologies.

“This was the third round of the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries, and they initiated this Strategic Dialogue in 2021,” Kitamura said, noting that Foreign Minister Motegi had previously met Sheikh Mohammed four years ago when the framework was launched.

Kitamura explained that the Doha visit was particularly significant as it marked Motegi’s first bilateral foreign visit since reassuming office in October 2025 under Japan’s new administration led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the country’s first female prime minister.