UAE Industry Minister: Japan ranks high on UAE’s priority list

UAE Industry Minister: Japan ranks high on UAE’s priority list

UAE Industry Minister: Japan Ranks High on UAE’s Priority List

The UAE and Japan are deepening their economic and strategic partnership, with Japan securing a prominent position on the UAE’s priority list for bilateral collaboration. Recent high-level engagements, including Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Ryosei Akazawa’s January 2026 visit to the UAE, underscored shared commitments to expanding cooperation in energy, technology, and trade.

During his visit, Akazawa met with UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber to coordinate preparations for an upcoming state visit by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Japan. Both sides emphasized the urgency of finalizing a Japan-UAE Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), a key priority for the UAE to strengthen supply chains and collaboration in critical sectors such as space, healthcare, and advanced minerals. The EPA discussions reflect broader efforts to align with the UAE’s Vision 2030 and Japan’s strategic investments in resilient, crisis-ready industries.

Energy security remained a central focus. Akazawa and UAE officials, including Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al Mazrouei, reaffirmed the importance of stabilizing global oil markets amid geopolitical uncertainties. The visit also highlighted Japan’s interest in the UAE’s renewable energy initiatives, with Akazawa touring ADNOC’s AI-driven control center to explore digital innovation in energy management.

Beyond energy, the UAE and Japan are advancing collaboration in emerging technologies. A December 2025 symposium co-hosted by Mitsubishi Research Institute and UAE-based TRENDS Research & Advisory explored synergies in AI and space exploration, aligning with both nations’ national strategies. Additionally, the Saudi-Japan Ministerial Investment Forum in January 2026—attended by UAE stakeholders— announced 12 new memoranda of cooperation spanning agritech, finance, and space, signaling a regional push for integrated economic growth.

These developments position Japan as a strategic partner for the UAE’s diversification goals, with both nations prioritizing innovation, energy resilience, and reciprocal investment to navigate global economic shifts.