His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman yesterday attended a dinner hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and spouse Yuko Kishida.
His Royal Highness first held a meeting with the Japanese prime minister and expressed deep condolences to the victims of the Fukushima earthquake, as Japan marks its 13th anniversary this year.
His Royal Highness and the prime minister also discussed bilateral cooperation between the Sultanate and Japan in energy, people-to-people exchanges, defence and maritime cooperation.
The discussions also included an exchange of views on regional and international matters, including ASEAN-Japan dialogue relations, developments in Myanmar, and the situation in Palestine.
In a separate event, Her Royal Highness attended a meeting with Yuko Kishida.
Prior to the meeting, Her Royal Highness and Yuko Kishida observed an Ikebana demonstration and participated in a flower arrangement activity.
Ikebana, also known as kado, is the Japanese art of flower arrangement that involves the cutting of stems, leaves and flowers in vases or other containers to convey a specific feeling or emotion, similar to a painting or sculpture.
After the meeting, His Royal Highness and the Japanese prime minister witnessed the exchange of notes ceremony on the visa waiver arrangement between Brunei and Japan.
Representing the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Japan Haji Shahbudin bin Haji Musa, whereas Ambassador of Japan to Brunei Darussalam Maeda Toru represented the Japanese government.
The exchange of notes allows Japanese nationals to enter the Sultanate without a visa for a period of 30 days, to encourage and facilitate travel of people and the movement of goods and services between the two countries.
Following the meetings and exchange of notes ceremony, Their Royal Highnesses, together with the Japanese Prime Minister and spouse, proceeded to the Prime Minister’s residence for a dinner.
His Royal Highness in a sabda commended the Japanese prime minister on his significant dedication and commitment to relations between both countries since his time as Minister of Foreign Affairs, including during His Majesty’s official visit to Japan last year.
To this end, His Royal Highness expressed confidence that relations will continue to strengthen and prosper in the coming years under Prime Minister Kishida’s leadership.
Brunei and Japan enjoy excellent cooperation through the close rapport shared between the royal families as well as the governments and peoples.
As the two countries celebrate 40 years of friendship this year, His Royal Highness affirmed that the mutual commitment to elevate ties to a strategic partnership and the robust cooperation that the two countries have built together will ensure resilience in an era of disruption and uncertainty.
The enduring ties and common vision to work together in energy predates the establishment of diplomatic ties.
Brunei, stated His Royal Highness, deeply appreciates Japan’s continuous support which has led to the strong cooperation in energy enjoyed today.
His Royal Highness expressed appreciation for Japan’s support under the Asia Zero Emissions Community (AZEC) and the Sultanate’s initiative under the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change, in developing coordinated and strategic policies for the region.
The finalisation of the exchange of notes on visa waiver arrangement, said His Royal Highness, will bring the people closer together, particularly in marking the 2024 Brunei-Japan Friendship Year.
Finally, on regional matters, His Royal Highness stated that Brunei consistently values the cooperation and support Japan has given in ASEAN, particularly in establishing the comprehensive strategic partnership to ensure peace and security.
Prior to that, the Japanese prime minister delivered remarks highlighting the mutual agreement on the extension of the visa waiver and the long-standing relations between Brunei and Japan which will mark its 40th year in 2024. The prime minister also underscored the significance of the existing energy cooperation, including the 50th anniversary of the Brunei LNG shipment to Japan in 2022 and hoped for this cooperation to
be continued. In his closing remarks, the prime minister expressed hope for the bilateral
relationship between the two countries to be further developed and further extended an invitation for His Royal Highness to visit Japan again in the future.
