HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s visit to Japan opens new prospects for strategic partnership
Manama, Sep. 18 (BNA): The official visit by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to Japan comes as an extension of the longstanding ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Japan, and seeks to open new avenues that advance their strategic partnership across various domains. It reflects the mutual commitment of both countries to enhance bilateral relations in line with shared aspirations for the future.
The visit carries increasing importance due to its timing and wide-ranging significance. It reflects Bahrain’s approach and foreign policy under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, based on moderation, balance and building relations based on mutual interests with countries worldwide. It also forms part of efforts to develop diverse economic partnerships that broaden cooperation and reinforce mutual benefit.
This visit represents another milestone in Bahrain–Japan relations, which date back to 1934 when the Kingdom’s first oil shipment was sent to Japan following the 1932 oil discovery. Diplomatic relations were established in May 1972, Japan opened its embassy in Bahrain in January 1988, and Bahrain inaugurated its embassy in Tokyo in September 2005.
For over five decades since establishing diplomatic ties, relations between Bahrain and Japan have been marked by mutual respect, constructive cooperation and close ties. Over the years, cooperation has grown in many domains, with the Kingdom valuing Japan as a successful cultural and developmental model, particularly in economics and development, while Japan appreciates Bahrain’s strategic location in the Gulf and its role as a model of progress in the Middle East under the leadership of His Majesty the King.
On the political and diplomatic level, reciprocal visits have underlined the strong bilateral ties and mutual commitment to enhance them. Among the most notable was the historic visit of His Majesty the King to Japan in April 2012, when HM the King met His Majesty the Emperor, His Excellency the Prime Minister and senior officials, reviewed bilateral ties and oversaw the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding in political, economic, trade and defence domains. HM the King also visited Japan in May 2017, confirming during the meetings, including at the Japanese parliament, Bahrain’s commitment to enhance cooperation with Japan, a country with a significant global role and advanced technological and industrial capacities.
The visits of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to Japan have further advanced bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The visit in March 2013 marked an important stage in the development of relations, during which 13 agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed in the domains of education, oil and gas, health, trade partnerships and the pearl industry, alongside official discussions and meetings. His Royal Highness’ earlier visit to Tokyo in 2008 also represented a key step in promoting mutual understanding on issues of common interest and in supporting cooperation across various sectors.
On the Japanese side, the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s official visit to Bahrain in August 2013 was an important step in advancing relations. The Kingdom also hosted several Japanese foreign ministers and received multiple economic and cultural delegations as part of ongoing exchanges.
In September 2025, Tokyo hosted the first Bahrain–Japan Strategic Dialogue, during which Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Iwaya Takeshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, signed a joint statement establishing a formal dialogue framework to expand cooperation in politics, security, economy, energy, environment, climate, trade, investment, technology, culture and other shared areas of interest.
Economic cooperation is a key component of relations between the Kingdom and Japan, as reflected in the scale of their trade exchange. The two countries are linked by economic agreements, including the Memorandum of Understanding on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and the Government of Bahrain, signed on June 2, 2009; the Agreement on Cooperation in the domains of economy, trade and energy between Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce and Ministry of Energy, and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, signed on April 12, 2012; and the Air Services Agreement between Bahrain and Japan, signed in Bahrain on March 4, 1998. More recently, in May 2023, the two foreign ministries signed official memoranda in Tokyo establishing the Bahrain–Japan Business and Investment Group.
Bahrain’s main exports to Japan include aluminium products in various forms, fibreglass, metal scrap and clothing, while imports from Japan centre on cars, trucks, cranes, electrical circuits, electronics and cement. Japanese investments in the Kingdom span technology, renewable energy and technical training.
Cultural and educational exchanges are also a defining feature. Bahrain regularly hosts Japanese cultural, musical and artistic groups, while collaborating in heritage preservation and arts initiatives. Bahrain also participates in cultural events in Japan, including Expo 2025 Osaka, where it will showcase its rich maritime heritage through a national pavilion. In 2024, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities signed an MoU with the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties and Kanazawa University to establish the Bahrain Centre for the Archaeology and Cultural Heritage of the Arabian Gulf. A Japanese Studies Centre had already been opened at the University of Bahrain in 2000.
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s current visit to Japan represents a significant step that underscores the longstanding ties between the two countries and reflects their shared commitment to expanding cooperation across all domains. With common values and converging perspectives, Bahrain and Japan are well placed to serve as a model of cooperation between the Gulf and Arab states and Southeast Asia. The visit is anticipated to provide new momentum to bilateral relations, advancing them towards wider prospects in the interest of both countries.
