Foreign Relations of Japan - Western Asia

Western Asia

Japan has expanded ties with the Middle East, including controversial water supply activities in Iraq. Japan's contribution to peacekeeping troops in Sudan remains steady.

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
Azerbaijan 1991 See Foreign relations of Azerbaijan#Asia
Iran 1926 See Iran–Japan relations

Japan's foreign policy towards and investments in Iran have historically been dominated by the desire to secure reliable energy supplies; Iran is Japan's third-largest oil supplier after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Iran and Japan signed a visa-free travel arrangement in 1974, but it was terminated in April 1992 due to large-scale illegal Iranian migration to Japan. Iran and Japan also cooperate on regional foreign policy issues in the Middle East, such as the reconstruction of Afghanistan and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Since 2004, Japan has been working on developing Iran's largest on-shore oil field, located at Azadegan.
Israel 1952-05-15 See Israel–Japan relations

The Japanese government refrained from appointing a Minister Plenipotentiary to Israel until 1955. Relations between the two states were distant at first, but after 1958, as demand no break occurred. This had been at the same time that OPEC had imposed an oil embargo against several countries, including Japan.
Lebanon 1954-11
  • The embassy of Japan in Lebanon is located in the Serail Hill Area, Army Street, Zokak El-Blat, Beirut. The current ambassador is Yoshihisa Kuroda.
  • The embassy of Lebanon in Japan is located in Nagatachō, Chiyoda, Tokyo.
  • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: Japan–Lebanon Relations
Saudi Arabia 1955 See Japan–Saudi Arabia relations

Saudi Arabian – Japan relations were established during the past half a century. Saudi–Japanese relations are based on mutual respect and common interests in all areas.
Syria 1953-12
  • Japan has an embassy in Damascus
  • Syria has an Embassy of Syria in Tokyo.

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