On 25 March 2018, Professor Ryoji Tateyama of the National Defense Academy in Japan and two researchers from its Department of International Relations visited Al Jazeera Centre for Studies during their tour of Qatar and Oman to meet with the centre’s researchers and specialists in Gulf and Arab affairs.
The Japanese delegation and AJCS researchers discussed various issues including the Gulf crisis, its political and economic implications and the prospects of resolution. The discussion also touched on Iranian and Turkish policies toward the Gulf and the Middle East regions. Furthermore, the Japanese delegation answered questions about Japan’s role in the settlement of the Palestinian issue and Tokyo’s vision of the near future in light of the rise of the Chinese role in international developments as well as the pursuit to establish the Silk Road and the necessary new markets and international land and sea routes. At the end of the visit, the two parties agreed to exchange visits regularly and engage in mutual research cooperation.