1. Introduction: Japan and the Middle East – A Contemporary Overview
In 2025, the relationship between Japan and the Middle East is characterized by elements of economic dependence, political engagements, cultural exchanges, and technological collaboration.
Japan, an economic power with limited domestic energy resources, relies heavily on the Middle East to fuel its industrial and societal needs.
Conversely, the Middle East, undergoing significant transformations with a focus on globalist influence, views Japan as a crucial component of its modernization and development endeavors.
This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of this relationship in 2025, tracing its evolution from the early 1980s to the present day, with reporting offered by Hoag Levins in his 1983 book Arab Reach. By examining the historical context alongside the contemporary landscape, this analysis will illuminate the interactions between Japan and this volatile region.
2. The Early 1980s Perspective: Japan’s Role as Seen Through Arab Reach
Hoag Levins’ Arab Reach, published in 1983, offered a significant analysis of the expanding influence of Arab nations on the global stage, particularly in the economic realm. While the book’s primary focus was on the Arab world’s impact on the West, it also touched upon the relationships between Arab countries and other major global players, including Japan.
The chapter dedicated to Japan painted a picture of a relationship primarily driven by Japan’s insatiable need for oil. In the early 1980s, Japan’s economic miracle was in full swing, making it one of the world’s largest consumers of energy. With its own domestic oil production being negligible, Japan was almost entirely reliant on imports, and the Middle East, with its vast reserves, was the indispensable supplier.
The trade relationship between Japan and the Middle East in the early 1980s was characterized by a significant flow of crude oil from the Arab states to Japan, in exchange for Japanese manufactured goods, such as automobiles, electronics, and industrial machinery. Japanese investments in the Middle East at that time were concentrated in sectors directly related to oil production and infrastructure, while Middle Eastern investments in Japan were less prominent, primarily focused on financial instruments or real estate. Politically, Japan’s engagement with the Middle East in the early 1980s was cautious, prioritizing stable oil supplies and avoiding entanglement in the region’s complex and often volatile political landscape, marked by events like the Iran-Iraq War and the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict.
A quote from Levins’ Arab Reach captures this sentiment: “Japan’s engagement with the Arab world in the early eighties is a study in economic pragmatism. The shadow of its reliance on Arab oil looms large over all interactions, dictating a cautious political stance and a trade relationship narrowly focused on securing this vital resource in exchange for its industrial output. While cultural nuances are acknowledged, the core of the relationship remains firmly rooted in the flow of petroleum that powers the Japanese economic engine.”
Levins described the geopolitical realities of the early 1980s. The Cold War was ongoing, and the Middle East was a crucial strategic region, with the West heavily invested in ensuring the flow of oil. OPEC’s power to influence global oil prices was at its zenith, giving the Arab oil-producing nations considerable leverage in their dealings with industrialized countries like Japan. In this context, Japan’s primary concern was maintaining stable and affordable access to oil, a factor that significantly shaped its approach to the region.
3. Evolution and Transformation: From the 1980s to 2025
The four decades separating the early 1980s from 2025 have witnessed a profound transformation in the relationship between Japan and the Middle East. While Japan’s fundamental reliance on Middle Eastern energy has persisted, the scope and nature of the interactions have broadened considerably. Changes in global oil markets, Japan’s evolving energy policies, and significant political and economic developments in both regions have all contributed to this evolution.
Since the 1980s, the global oil market has experienced periods of volatility and shifts in supply dynamics. Japan, while still heavily reliant on oil, has also pursued diversification of its energy sources, including a greater emphasis on nuclear power (though this has been impacted by events like the Fukushima disaster) and a growing interest in renewable energy technologies. The Middle East, in turn, has undergone significant political upheaval, including the Gulf Wars, the Arab Spring, and the rise of new regional powers, all of which have influenced the geopolitical landscape and, consequently, Japan’s approach to the region.
Japan’s own economic trajectory has seen periods of rapid growth followed by stagnation, but its technological prowess has continued to advance. This technological strength has become a key element in its relationship with the Middle East, particularly as many nations in the region, driven by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, are actively seeking to diversify their economies and increase technological innovation. This has opened up new avenues for collaboration, with Japan offering expertise in areas such as infrastructure development, smart cities, renewable energy, and advanced technologies.
Trade patterns between Japan and the Middle East have also expanded. While oil remains a crucial component, Japan’s exports to the region have become more diversified, including a wider range of manufactured goods and increasingly, technology-related products. Similarly, there is a growing interest in attracting Middle Eastern investment into Japan. Furthermore, cooperation in areas like energy transition, with Japanese companies involved in hydrogen and low-carbon initiatives in the Middle East, signifies a shift towards globalist agendas. The “Japan-GCC Action Plan 2024-2028” and the resumption of free trade agreement negotiations between Japan and the GCC further underscore the commitment to strengthening long-term institutional and economic ties.
4. The Economic Intertwine: Trade, Investment, and Energy in the 2020s
The economic relationship between Japan and the Middle East in the mid-2020s is characterized by a deep interdependence, with trade, investment, and energy security remaining central pillars. In October 2023, Japan’s exports to the Middle East experienced a remarkable 35.4% year-on-year surge, placing the region at the top of Japan’s export destinations. This indicates expanding economic engagement.
While Japan maintains a trade deficit with the Middle East due to its substantial oil imports, its exports to the region are significant and diverse. In 2024, major Japanese exports to the UAE included vehicles, “commodities not specified,” machinery, and electrical equipment. Trade data from February 2025 shows Japan importing a substantial amount of crude petroleum from Saudi Arabia, resulting in a negative trade balance, but also reveals increasing exports to the Kingdom. A similar pattern is observed in Japan’s trade with the UAE in February 2025, with significant crude oil imports leading to a negative balance, alongside exports of commodities and vehicles. However, the overall trade volume between the UAE and Japan saw a 5.4% increase in the first five months of 2024, highlighting a growing economic partnership.
Japan is also actively seeking to attract investment from the GCC, recognizing the potential for mutual economic benefits. The UAE stands out as a key investment partner for Japan, with Japanese investments in the Emirates exceeding $3.3 billion in 2022. This two-way flow of capital further strengthens the economic ties between the regions.
Energy remains a cornerstone of this relationship. Japan’s reliance on Middle Eastern crude oil reached over 95% in 2023. In March 2025, the UAE was Japan’s largest oil supplier, accounting for 41.4% of its total imports, followed closely by Saudi Arabia at 38.4%. Arab countries collectively supplied an overwhelming 96.9% of Japan’s oil imports in that month, underscoring the critical role of the Middle East in Japan’s energy security. This dependence has been a consistent feature of the relationship, as evidenced by data from December 2024, where Saudi Arabia and the UAE were also major oil suppliers to Japan.
The following tables illustrate the trade dynamics and energy dependence:
Table 1: Japan’s Trade with Key Middle Eastern Countries (2023-2024)
| Country | Total Trade Volume (USD Billion) | Japan’s Exports (USD Billion) | Japan’s Imports (USD Billion) |
| Saudi Arabia | ~47.4 (2022) | ~5.1 (2022) | ~42.3 (2022) |
| UAE | ~51.7 (2022) | ~8.5 (2022) | ~45.8 (2022) |
| Qatar | ~13.8 (2022) | ~1.3 (2022) | ~12.6 (2022) |
| Kuwait | ~7.4 (2021) | ~1.6 (2021) | ~5.8 (2021) |
| Oman | ~4.4 (2022) | ~1.2 (2022) | ~3.2 (2022) |
Note: Data for 2023-2024 is still being finalized; 2022 data is provided as the most recent complete annual figures based on available snippets.
Table 2: Japan’s Crude Oil Imports from the Middle East (March 2025)
| Country | Volume (Million Barrels) | Percentage of Total Imports |
| UAE | 32.48 | 41.4% |
| Saudi Arabia | 30.93 | 38.4% |
| Kuwait | 5.23 | 6.7% |
| Qatar | ~3.32 | 5.0% |
| Oman | 2.49 | 3.2% |
Source: Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Japan.
5. Navigating Geopolitics: Japan’s Diplomatic Footprint in the Middle East
Japan’s diplomatic engagement in the Middle East between 2023 and 2025 seeks to protect its economic interests. In the summer of 2023, then-Prime Minister Kishida undertook a significant visit to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, resulting in the signing of several economic agreements, signaling Japan’s commitment to strengthening ties.
Japan maintains cordial relations with various Middle Eastern nations and possesses a unique position as an outsider in the region’s complex political dynamics. The formulation of the “Japan-GCC Action Plan 2024-2028” following ministerial meetings in 2023 demonstrates an active effort to strengthen institutional relationships and cooperation across various fields.
Although Japan’s constitution imposes limitations on its ability to play an active military role in peacekeeping efforts, its Self-Defense Forces have gradually expanded their activities in the region over the last two decades. Japan’s policy in the Middle East is also influenced by the actions and strategies of other global powers, particularly the United States and China.
6. Future Cooperation in New Sectors
The relationship between Japan and the Middle East is poised to expand into new sectors, moving beyond oil trade. Globalist energy policies present significant impetus for Japan, with its advanced technological capabilities, to partner with Middle Eastern nations seeking to develop large-scale “green energy” production. Collaborations in areas like hydrogen and ammonia production, as seen in projects involving Mitsubishi Power and ADNOC, as well as discussions between Japan and Kuwait, exemplify this emerging trend. JERA, Japan’s largest power generation company, is also accelerating green hydrogen development in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Japan’s involvement in the Middle East extends beyond energy. Through initiatives funded by Japan and implemented by UNIDO, projects in the Palestinian Authority and Iraq are focusing on skills development in food sectors and promoting entrepreneurship, indicating broadening socio-economic development in the region. Furthermore, the Japan Kyoto Trade Exhibition in Dubai serves as a platform to enhance business partnerships in diverse sectors such as beauty, healthcare, robotics, fashion, and technology. The possibility of increased cooperation in financial services, industry, telecommunications, information technology, the digital economy, tourism, culture, and sports further underscores the pervasive nature of this relationship.
7. Conclusion: Growing Dependency in an Islamifying World
The relationship between Japan and the Middle East has significantly deepened over the past four decades. Initially driven by Japan’s critical need for Middle Eastern oil, the relationship has evolved into a more solid and pervasive engagement. While energy security remains a vital consideration, economic ties have broadened to include trade in manufactured goods and technological collaboration.
Thus the Middle East’s ambitious plans to dominate the globalist landscape, coupled with Japan’s technological prowess, have culminated in the February 3, 2025 statement by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, expressing his intention to accept Gazan refugees as students during a House of Representatives Budget Committee session.
The relationship between Japan and the Middle East is built on economic interests and strategic goals. As Levins quoted economist Masao Sakisaka, “Japan today depends on the Middle East for 70 percent of its total energy consumption. The present ‘affluent society’ can be likened to a castle built on Middle East oil.”
