Japan’s Shinzo Abe visits UAE for talks on stronger economic ties as he begins Middle East tour

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to arrive in the UAE today on the first leg of his Middle East tour.

Mr Abe will hold talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and take part in an economic forum focused on diversification and innovation in the UAE.

The forum will also seek to strengthen economic relations between the countries.

“The Middle East is important to Japan from the viewpoint of energy security,” Mr Abe said during a parliamentary meeting last week.

It will be Mr Abe’s first visit to the UAE in five years.

During his trip, the Japanese leader will seek to enhance Tokyo’s energy and security relations in the region and the visit will include stops in Jordan, Palestine and Israel.

In Jordan, he will meet King Abdullah and Prime Minister Hani Mulki to discuss counter-terrorism and ways to enhance the Middle East peace process.

“Japan will promote positive relations between Israel and Palestine and will show our active involvement in seeking a resolution,” Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said.

Mr Abe will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He has announced that Japan will contribute to the Middle East peace process by “providing aid for Palestinian economic independence”. Mr Abe’s first visit to Palestine was in January 2015.

A delegation of executives from the Mitsubishi Corporation will accompany him.

Meanwhile, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono arrived in Jordan on Friday to take part in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.