Japan asked the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday to make "proactive contributions" as a major oil producer to help stabilize surging crude oil prices triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the two agreed to work closely, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said.
After a phone call with Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Kishida told reporters that Japan and the UAE — a nonpermanent member of the U.N. Security Council — will also seek closer coordination in responding to the crisis in Ukraine.
The UAE is a member of OPEC and is a major exporter, along with Saudi Arabia, to resource-scarce Japan. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.