Bilateral relations between Qatar and Japan have strengthened since their establishment in 1972, particularly within the energy sector.

Naoto Hisajima, Japan’s new ambassador to Qatar, has expressed his country’s appreciation for the Gulf state’s mediation efforts in the region, particularly between Hamas and Israel.

“Japan highly appreciates and commends Qatar’s invaluable and tireless efforts as a mediator to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and secure the release of the hostages,” Hisajima told Doha News at a press conference in Doha last Thursday.

The Japanese ambassador held the informal press conference at his residence in Doha to mark the beginning of his tenure, and praised Doha and Tokyo’s bilateral relations.

Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani had received Hisajima’s credentials along with five others on January 27, according to the Amiri Diwan.

When asked about Japan’s perception of Qatar’s role in the region, Hisajima noted that his country “wishes to work together closely” with the Gulf state, particularly in the pursuit of establishing a two-state solution.

Hisajima went on to praise Qatar’s role in “advancing Gulf cooperation”. 

“The role of the GCC members in various fields in the international arena, including politics and economics, is becoming increasingly important, and I think that there is potential for both sides to greatly benefit by combining the strengths of both the GCC and Japan,” he said.

Bilateral relations

Qatar and Japan have strengthened their bilateral relations since their establishment in 1972, particularly within the energy sector.

Notably, Japan became Qatar’s first liquified natural gas (LNG) customer in the late 1990s, when the country made its first sale and purchase agreement with Japan’s Chubu Electric for 4 tonnes of the gas per annum.

The Japanese ambassador also underlined Qatar’s support for his country particularly in the aftermath of the 2011 Great East Earthquake, when the nuclear power plant was shut down. 

Qatar had extended a helping hand at the time by supplying an additional 4 million tonnes of LNG in addition to humanitarian assistance.

Meanwhile, in 2024, Qatar’s exports to Japan hit $6.1bn (QAR 22.1bn), whereas imports from Tokyo to Doha hit $1.6bn (about QAR 5.8bn), according to the embassy.

People-to-people relations have also strengthened with the increased visits between nationals from the two countries.

A total of 3,239 Qataris entered Japan for short-term stay in 2023, up from 334 in 2022, according to figures by the Japanese embassy. At least 17,188 Japanese nationals entered Qatar in 2024, up from 13,020 in 2023.

“I, myself, as a Japanese Ambassador in Qatar would like to exert much effort to develop this special relationship to even a higher level,” Hisajima said.

Building on the topic of tourism in Japan, the ambassador highlighted the upcoming Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, scheduled to take place between April 13 and October 13 this year.

Holding the event’s mascot, Hisajima explained the character of “MYAKU-MYAKU”, which he said embodies human DNA, wisdom, history and culture. The name is derived from the word “continuously”, reflecting the passing of cultures from one generation to another.