Tokyo: The Saudi and Japanese defense ministers met in Tokyo on Monday to discuss ways to expand security cooperation.
Prince Khalid bin Salman held negotiations with his Japanese counterpart Hamada Yasukazu at Ministry of Defense offices in Tokyo, Japan.
Hamada highlighted Japan’s defense strategy and said his country sought to strengthen its existing links with the Kingdom while working to boost its security capabilities.
Prince Khalid underlined current problems affecting the region, defense policies of Saudi Arabia and Middle East, and major initiatives underway as part of a transformation program of the Saudi Ministry of Defense, Arab News reported.
The ministers also talked about technology cooperation and defense equipment and committed to establishing closer military-to-military communication links.
Pleased to meet H.E. Yasukazu Hamada, Japan’s Minister of Defense, in Tokyo today. We reviewed our friendly relations and explored aspects of military and defense cooperation. We also discussed the latest regional and international developments. pic.twitter.com/CPxzdz5qje
— Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) July 31, 2023
Saudi delegation
The Saudi delegation taking part in the meeting included General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, chief of staff of the Kingdom’s armed forces, Hisham Abdulaziz bin Saif, director general of the defense minister’s office Nayef Al-Fahadi, the Saudi ambassador to Japan, Dr. Khaled bin Hussein Al-Bayari, assistant minister of defense for executive affairs, and Major General Misfer Messarreb Al-Ghamdi, head of strategic planning for the armed forces.
Japanese delegation consisted General Yoshida Yoshihide, the country’s chief of staff, Ashizuka Osamu, director of the Indo-Pacific regional policy division, and Miura Jun, director general for international affairs.
