Consulate-General of Japan in Jeddah Celebrates Emperor’s Birthday
2026/2/12
with the Governor of Jeddah Governorate
Welcome remarks by CG Yamamoto
The Guest of Honor and other VIPs
On February 12, H.E. Mr. Daisuke Yamamoto, Consul General of Japan in Jeddah, held a reception at his Residence to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.
The reception was honored by His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah Governorate and attended by H.E. Mr. Farid bin Saad Al-Shehri, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Makkah Al-Mukarramah Region Branch), officials from the Ministry Branch, officials from governmental and non-governmental entities in Makkah Region, a number of Consuls Generals and Honorary Consuls accredited in Jeddah, prominent businessmen and others.
At the beginning of the reception, the national anthems of Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were played, then Consul General Yamamoto delivered a speech in which he expressed his gratitude to the guests for their attendance. He also extended his sincere congratulations to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on its “Foundation Day”, which precedes the Emperor of Japan's birthday by one day.
He explained that Japan is a strategic trading partner and Saudi Arabia's third largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $36 billion by the end of 2024, representing a 50% growth since 2016 and a significant trade surplus for the Kingdom. He added that 118 Japanese companies invest SAR 23.6 billion directly in Saudi Arabia, with 82 operating in Riyadh and 36 in Jeddah. Eighteen of these companies have established regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia. These companies' investments cover diverse sectors, including petrochemicals, energy, electricity, water, automobiles, electronics, and titanium production. He emphasized that the Japanese Consulate General in Jeddah, in cooperation with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Riyadh and the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME) in Riyadh and Jeddah, works to encourage investment between the two countries and provide information to Saudi companies interested in Japan. This comes within the framework of cooperation in achieving the goals of the comprehensive and ambitious "Saudi Vision 2030," launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, through collaboration via the joint committee "Saudi-Japanese Vision 2030."
CG Yamamoto invited Saudi investors and businessmen to invest in the world's fourth-largest economy. The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) website, provides information in English about the support system and other essential information for foreign companies wishing to invest in the Japanese market.
In the area of people-to-people exchanges, CG Yamamoto noted the entry into force last January of the mutual exemption from diplomatic and official (special) visas between the two countries.
CG Yamamoto highlighted the Consulate's activities to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries, including the three-day "Hayy Matsuri" Japanese cultural festival held in the “Hayy Jameel” last January in collaboration with “Art Jameel”. The festival provided an opportunity for over 12,000 visitors to experience Japanese culture. He also mentioned a two-day Kabuki performance at teamLab, in partnership with the Historic Jeddah Project, along with other cultural events.
The attendees were encouraged to visit Japan, which is preparing to host the Asian and Paralympic Games in Nagoya city and Aichi Prefecture from September to October 2026. Forty-five countries and regions, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will participate. They were also encouraged to visit the GREEN×EXPO 2027 in Yokohama from March to September 2027.
CG Yamamoto concluded his remarks by expressing his wishes for the continued development of relations between the two friendly countries and for the prosperity of the Kingdom under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Following this, CG Yamamoto and H.E. Mr. Farid Al-Shehri, along with several other Consuls Generals, cut the cake prepared to celebrate the occasion.
The event was attended by many guests, and popular Japanese dishes such as sushi, tempura, and others were served by the Consul General's chef, making the occasion an excellent opportunity to promote Japanese cuisine in Jeddah.
The reception was honored by His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah Governorate and attended by H.E. Mr. Farid bin Saad Al-Shehri, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Makkah Al-Mukarramah Region Branch), officials from the Ministry Branch, officials from governmental and non-governmental entities in Makkah Region, a number of Consuls Generals and Honorary Consuls accredited in Jeddah, prominent businessmen and others.
At the beginning of the reception, the national anthems of Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were played, then Consul General Yamamoto delivered a speech in which he expressed his gratitude to the guests for their attendance. He also extended his sincere congratulations to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on its “Foundation Day”, which precedes the Emperor of Japan's birthday by one day.
He explained that Japan is a strategic trading partner and Saudi Arabia's third largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $36 billion by the end of 2024, representing a 50% growth since 2016 and a significant trade surplus for the Kingdom. He added that 118 Japanese companies invest SAR 23.6 billion directly in Saudi Arabia, with 82 operating in Riyadh and 36 in Jeddah. Eighteen of these companies have established regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia. These companies' investments cover diverse sectors, including petrochemicals, energy, electricity, water, automobiles, electronics, and titanium production. He emphasized that the Japanese Consulate General in Jeddah, in cooperation with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Riyadh and the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME) in Riyadh and Jeddah, works to encourage investment between the two countries and provide information to Saudi companies interested in Japan. This comes within the framework of cooperation in achieving the goals of the comprehensive and ambitious "Saudi Vision 2030," launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, through collaboration via the joint committee "Saudi-Japanese Vision 2030."
CG Yamamoto invited Saudi investors and businessmen to invest in the world's fourth-largest economy. The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) website, provides information in English about the support system and other essential information for foreign companies wishing to invest in the Japanese market.
In the area of people-to-people exchanges, CG Yamamoto noted the entry into force last January of the mutual exemption from diplomatic and official (special) visas between the two countries.
CG Yamamoto highlighted the Consulate's activities to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries, including the three-day "Hayy Matsuri" Japanese cultural festival held in the “Hayy Jameel” last January in collaboration with “Art Jameel”. The festival provided an opportunity for over 12,000 visitors to experience Japanese culture. He also mentioned a two-day Kabuki performance at teamLab, in partnership with the Historic Jeddah Project, along with other cultural events.
The attendees were encouraged to visit Japan, which is preparing to host the Asian and Paralympic Games in Nagoya city and Aichi Prefecture from September to October 2026. Forty-five countries and regions, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will participate. They were also encouraged to visit the GREEN×EXPO 2027 in Yokohama from March to September 2027.
CG Yamamoto concluded his remarks by expressing his wishes for the continued development of relations between the two friendly countries and for the prosperity of the Kingdom under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Following this, CG Yamamoto and H.E. Mr. Farid Al-Shehri, along with several other Consuls Generals, cut the cake prepared to celebrate the occasion.
The event was attended by many guests, and popular Japanese dishes such as sushi, tempura, and others were served by the Consul General's chef, making the occasion an excellent opportunity to promote Japanese cuisine in Jeddah.