Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Saudi Arabian Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman affirmed Thursday their resolve to work together to achieve planned reforms of the Saudi economy with the potential to deliver significant benefits to Japan.

The deputy crown prince, a son of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, doubles as defense minister.

As the chair of an economic development deliberation committee, the prince oversaw compilation of the "Saudi Vision 2030" growth strategy released in April, the implementation of which could offer Japanese firms a chance to advance into the kingdom's economy as it privatizes state-owned entities.