*Qatar, Japan keen to develop relations to advanced stages of long-term strategic partnership: Japanese embassy
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani left Doha on Sunday evening for Tokyo to participate in the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito of Japan, slated for Tuesday at the Imperial Place in Tokyo.
The Amir will also attend the dinner banquet which will be held on the occasion.
Welcoming the Amir's attendance, the Embassy of Japan in a statement issued on Sunday, said this visit comes 9 months after His Highness Sheikh Tamim’s visit to Japan in January this year during which a number of MoUs were signed in different fields, in addition to the signing of a joint declaration on the establishment of a strategic dialogue mechanism between the governments of Qatar and Japan to strengthen the existing relations and encouraging cooperation in all fields.
"This reflects the depth of our relations and gives a clear indication of the determination of both countries’ leadership to develop those relations to advanced stages of long-term strategic partnership.
"Japan attaches the highest level of importance to Qatar as the 3rd largest supplier of LNG to Japan. On the other hand, Japan is also the number one trade partner of Qatar with a trade volume reaching to $16bn in 2018 with a growth rate up to 23% from the 2017 trade volume which was $13.1bn.
"Japan also appreciates Qatar’s diplomatic efforts which contribute to the stabilisation of the region and its pro-active diplomacy which never fails to bring better effect on not only the Qatari side but also the counterpart countries.
"We also believe that the FIFA 2022 shall be a great success.
Before this big event, in Japan we have Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
Therefore we are gladly willing to share our experience as a host including security measures and logistical support and public relations with Qatar.
"Last but not least, as we celebrate this very special occasion in Japan, we are truly grateful to His Highness for his keenness to share this auspicious celebration with the Japanese people," the statement said.