Japan is Collaborating with Qatar to Progress Clean Energy Initiatives

Japan is Collaborating with Qatar

Ambassador Maeda highlighted Japan's enthusiasm for Qatar's involvement in the 5th Japan-Arab Economic Forum held in Tokyo on July 10-11. He expressed hope that Qatar's participation would contribute to strengthening and diversifying the bilateral relations between Japan and Arab nations.

The forum showcased Japan as a reliable partner for Arab countries, with agreements to enhance cooperation in areas such as economic diversification, innovation, energy, climate change, environmentally-friendly products, water resources, waste management, hydrogen, ammonia, emerging technologies, communications, AI, and supply chain resilience.

Discussing trade relations, the ambassador noted the strong economic ties between Japan and Qatar, built on shared interests and priorities. Japan has long been importing significant quantities of Qatari LNG and crude oil, and in 2023, Japanese exports to Qatar reached a 15-year high, reflecting the mutually beneficial nature of their economic relationship. Key Japanese exports to Qatar include steel pipes for gas fields, automobiles, and car parts.

On mutual investments, the ambassador mentioned that Japan is eager to develop concrete proposals with Japanese companies, particularly in the areas of Green Transformation (GX), semiconductors, and battery industries, which are seen as promising for Qatari investments. He also highlighted Qatar's healthcare and education sectors as areas where Japan anticipates increased investment in the near future.

He noted that currently, 30 companies in Qatar are managed by Japanese nationals, with most of them operating in the oil, gas, and infrastructure sectors.

"We are eager to diversify our economic relationship and create more business opportunities for Japanese companies in Qatar, particularly in healthcare, education, food, and fashion sectors."

Regarding cooperation in artificial intelligence and technology, he highlighted the expertise of Japanese companies in these areas. "We are striving to enhance our collaboration with Qatar in fields such as AI, semiconductors, robotics, and communication technology."

On energy relations, he emphasized the strong energy partnership between Japan and Qatar, driven by a mutual commitment to meet current energy demands while also advancing new technologies for future generations.

"We continue to import significant quantities of oil and gas from Qatar and are pleased with the recent long-term agreements between Japanese companies and QatarEnergy for the supply of naphtha and condensate."

He also mentioned Japan's efforts to generate demand for hydrogen and ammonia, decarbonize the manufacturing sector, and develop new technologies for a carbon-neutral future. "We are seeking cooperation with various countries in these areas and look forward to advancing our collaboration with Qatar."

"We are optimistic that our shared energy priorities can elevate the Japan-Qatar bilateral relationship. A Japanese consortium involving Sumitomo Corporation and Shikoku Electric Power is currently bidding for Facility E, a new IWPP (Integrated Water and Power Plant) project, and we believe a successful bid would build on the progress already made by Marubeni in developing a large-scale solar power project in Qatar."

On clean energy and climate change cooperation, the ambassador pointed out the longstanding commitment of both countries to sustainable development. "We are working together to advance clean energy projects in both Qatar and Japan."

"Following Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Qatar last year, Japan’s Mitsubishi Research Institute has proposed carbon credit measures to Qatar’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. In collaboration with Kahramaa, the Institute of Energy Economics in Japan (IEEJ) has also contributed significantly to Tarsheed, Qatar’s national energy conservation program."

He added, "For the North Field Expansion Project, Chiyoda Corporation is constructing LNG plants equipped with large-scale CCS (carbon capture and storage) facilities and exhaust heat recovery systems that can reduce CO2 emissions by 25 percent during operation. Sumitomo Corporation has signed an agreement with QatarEnergy to supply oil well tubing, produced by Nippon Steel, for the CCS facility of the Blue Ammonia Plant." 

In response to a question, he noted that Japan-Qatar relations have recently expanded beyond energy to include a broader range of areas such as diplomacy, economy and investment, aviation, security, and culture.

"Aligned with our goals, Japan Airlines has launched a new direct flight between Tokyo and Doha, and Qatar Airways resumed direct flights between Osaka and Doha in March this year. We hope to see an increase in visitors between our countries and more vibrant grassroots exchanges."

Regarding the Japan-Qatar Strategic Dialogue, Maeda stated that the dialogue aims to further develop and solidify the strategic partnership between the two nations. “Regular meetings between our countries' foreign ministers are being conducted to strengthen relations across various sectors, including energy, diplomacy, economy and investment, security, development cooperation, and culture. The third strategic dialogue is planned to take place in Doha, with the exact date yet to be determined, but we anticipate hosting it soon, possibly within this year.”

On enhancing cooperation for mutual benefit, he said: “We are eager to continue diversifying our economic ties into new areas of potential growth. This includes collaboration in healthcare, which interests both Japan and Qatar, and in emerging technologies such as Green Transformation (GX), AI, and telecommunications technology.”

He emphasized that agreements signed between Japan and Qatar provide a solid foundation for promoting business and people-to-people exchanges and for further diversifying the existing ties between our two countries.

“During Prime Minister Kishida’s visit last year, an MoU was signed between JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) and IPA Qatar to foster bilateral trade and investment cooperation. Japan Airlines also introduced direct flights between Tokyo and Doha, and we hope such agreements will lead to broader cooperation in various fields, including economic areas, defense, humanitarian development, and more.”

Regarding the tourism sector's role in strengthening Japan-Qatar relations, he mentioned that tourism has the potential to act as a bridge between the two countries, enhancing ties in multiple areas.

“Travel to Japan has become more accessible for Qatari citizens, particularly with the introduction of the 'Visa Waiver Measure for Nationals of the State of Qatar based on Ordinary Passport Registration System' in April 2023. With a simplified visa application process and the elimination of processing fees, the number of Qatari nationals traveling to Japan in 2023 reached a record high of 3,386, up from 494 in 2022. This increase in visitors highlights the tourism sector's strong capacity to promote cultural exchanges and economic ties between our two nations.”

On advancing cooperation in science and technology, education, and innovation, Maeda stated: “Japan is actively working on Green Transformation (GX), the semiconductor and battery industries, AI, and biotechnology, and we are confident that developing and expanding cooperation in these fields will benefit both Qatar and Japan.”

“The Embassy has already collaborated closely with Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education to promote Japanese language education in public schools. The Ministry’s successful Language Summer Camp in Japan for Qatari secondary school students studying Japanese as an elective language is a perfect example of the positive outcomes we can achieve together as partners.”

He added that the embassy also provides opportunities for qualified Qatari nationals to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate degrees at Japanese universities through the 'MEXT Scholarship'. This scholarship offers a wide range of majors, including scientific, engineering, and technological fields. Former recipients have been able to develop their scientific expertise in Japan, which has helped them advance their careers upon returning to Qatar.”