Saudi Arabia is eager to become a gateway to Japan and its culture in the Middle East as it seeks to deepen economic relations between the two nations, the minister of culture and information for the kingdom, Adel Zaid Altoraifi, said Friday.

In an interview, he unveiled a plan for the state-run Saudi Press Agency to launch a Japanese-language website in December to promote information exchange between the two countries.

"Our relationship is not only about oil. It's more than oil," Altoraifi said, quoting Saudi Arabian Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as saying the kingdom considers Japan a "model" for reform in his country.