|
|
|
|
Ambassador's OfficeFor Embassy of Japan's Activities, click here NEWGreetings from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Sultanate of Oman 
Warm greetings to you all. I am Mitsugu Saito. I arrived in Muscat on 2nd December 2015 and assumed my post as Ambassador of Japan to the Sultanate of Oman. As an expert on the Middle East region, I have previously been appointed to various countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Having spent many years in the region, I believe the Sultanate of Oman is the “Utopia of the Arabian Peninsula”, since Oman is gifted with nature and history, and is sustaining peace and stability in an unstable region under the thoughtful leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Unfortunately, there are a limited number of Japanese people who are familiar with Oman. The Sultanate is blessed with abundant nature, such as mountains with a height of 3,000 meters and green highlands, in addition to beautiful beaches. It is also a country with a long history and rich culture, which flourished as the “Frankincense Route” in the past, and of which the people here are very proud. Oman has long thrived as a maritime country owing to its important location linking Asia and Africa. It is said that Sindbad, the Sailor of The Arabian Nights departed from the port town of Sohar in Oman. The people of Oman are known for their enterprising spirits, gentleness and friendliness, and I understand that they are very pro-Japanese. Oman, located at the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, holds the Strait of Hormuz, a gateway to the Persian Gulf, and holds great ports by the Indian Ocean which makes Oman a very strategically important country. Compared to neighboring countries, Oman does not produce much crude oil and natural gas, but Oman is an important country from an energy security perspective because it has the great advantage that oil and gas can be exported without passing through the Strait of Hormuz. In this unstable Middle East region, the key to Oman maintaining peace and stability for many years is its thoughtful diplomatic policy and leadership under His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, which is based on peace and dialogue. Recently, Oman took a major role in contributing to solve the Iranian nuclear issue by connecting the United States of America and Iran. Such diplomatic foreign policy to proactively contribute to the peace and stability of the region gathers attention globally. I am confident that Oman, located in an economically strategic place while sustaining political stability, has great potential as an economic hub in the region and that this importance will increase further and further. In addition, Oman is blessed with tourism and fisheries resources, and it is expected that overseas investment will be accelerated in future. Oman, the “Utopia of the Arabian Peninsula”, is enhancing its presence in various respects. In this fascinating country and “Utopia of the Arabian Peninsula”, as Ambassador of Japan to the Sultanate of Oman, I will to dedicate my efforts to further strengthening mutual understanding and friendly relations between Japan and Oman, especially deepening understanding of the importance of economic, political and security aspects of Oman to Japan as well as enhancing bilateral cooperation. Without a doubt, the Embassy of Japan in the Sultanate of Oman and I will do our utmost to ensure the safety of Japanese residents in Oman and the success of Japanese companies here. I humbly request your understanding and cooperation. December 2015 ≪Page Top≫ |
