Saudi, Japanese defense ministers discuss ways to bolster security cooperation

Tokyo, The Gulf Observer: The Saudi and Japanese defense ministers on Monday met in Tokyo to discuss ways to bolster security cooperation.

Prince Khalid bin Salman held talks with his Japanese counterpart Hamada Yasukazu at Japan’s Ministry of Defense offices in the capital city.

Hamada outlined his country’s defense strategy and said Japan sought to strengthen its existing links with Saudi Arabia while working to reinforce its security capabilities.

Prince Khalid highlighted current issues affecting the region, Saudi and Middle East defense policies, and major initiatives being undertaken as part of a Saudi Ministry of Defense transformation program.

The ministers also discussed defense equipment and technology cooperation and committed to establishing closer military-to-military communication channels.

The Saudi delegation attending the meeting included Gen. Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, chief of staff of the Kingdom’s armed forces, Dr. Khaled bin Hussein Al-Bayari, assistant minister of defense for executive affairs, Nayef Al-Fahadi, the Saudi ambassador to Japan, Hisham Abdulaziz bin Saif, director general of the defense minister’s office, and Maj. Gen. Misfer Messarreb Al-Ghamdi, head of strategic planning for the armed forces.

Japanese attendees included Gen. Yoshida Yoshihide, the country’s chief of staff, Miura Jun, director general for international affairs, and Ashizuka Osamu, director of the Indo-Pacific regional policy division.