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Saudi Arabia and Japan’s new era of strategic resilience
Noriko Suzuki
June 16, 202614:02
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Saudi Arabia and Japan’s new era of strategic resilience
The renewed tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have once again highlighted the fragility of global energy security and the close relationship between geopolitics, maritime trade and economic stability. As one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, any disruption to shipping...
arab.news
As one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, any disruption to shipping through the strait carries consequences far beyond the Gulf region. For Japan, however, the challenge extends beyond the possibility of temporary shortages of crude oil and petrochemical products. The more immediate concern lies in maintaining the stable operation of a refining system that has been developed over decades around medium and heavy crude grades supplied primarily by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Gulf producers.
Some observers argue that Japan could offset disruptions in Gulf supplies by increasing imports of American shale oil or diversifying procurement from other regions. While diversification remains an important objective, such arguments often overlook practical realities. Japanese refineries are optimized for specific crude grades and replacing Gulf supplies requires far more than identifying alternative producers. It entails addressing challenges related to refinery compatibility, shipping logistics, tanker and port availability, marine insurance costs, supply chain reliability, and the availability of experienced oil traders capable of securing cargoes in highly competitive spot markets.
Saudi Arabia therefore remains indispensable to Japan’s energy security. The Kingdom is not only one of the world’s largest energy producers but also one of the few countries capable of maintaining supply stability during periods of geopolitical uncertainty. In an increasingly volatile international environment, Saudi Arabia’s role has evolved beyond that of a traditional supplier to that of a strategic stabilizer.
The current situation also demonstrates that energy security can no longer be assessed solely in terms of supply volumes. The safety of maritime transport, protection of critical infrastructure, stability of shipping insurance markets, cyber resilience and geopolitical stability have become equally important components of a secure and resilient energy system.
Saudi Arabia has invested significantly in strengthening its resilience against such risks. The East-West Pipeline connecting the Gulf coast to the Red Sea provides an alternative export route that reduces dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. While not a complete solution, it represents a strategically important asset that contributes to the stability of both regional and global energy markets.
The lessons emerging from recent tensions suggest that Japan and Saudi Arabia should move beyond a traditional supplier-consumer relationship and develop a broader framework of strategic cooperation.
Energy will remain the central pillar of the partnership. Beyond energy, future cooperation should increasingly focus on emerging sectors that strengthen long-term economic resilience, technological competitiveness and strategic security.
One promising area is hydrogen and ammonia. Saudi Arabia possesses abundant renewable resources, industrial scale and investment capacity, while Japan has developed advanced technologies in fuel cells, transport and industrial applications. Together, the two countries can help establish reliable international supply chains that support both energy security and decarbonization objectives.
Carbon management technologies also present significant opportunities. Despite the global energy transition, oil and natural gas will continue to play a vital role in the world economy for decades to come. Carbon capture, utilization and storage can help reduce emissions while maintaining economic stability. Japanese technological expertise and Saudi Arabia’s large-scale energy infrastructure provide a natural foundation for deeper cooperation.
The digital economy is likely to become another major pillar of this bilateral relationship. Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity and data centers are increasingly emerging as strategic assets comparable to traditional energy infrastructure. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Japan’s economic security agenda create strong incentives for collaboration in these sectors.
The partnership can also contribute to broader regional stability. The Middle East remains a complex geopolitical mosaic shaped by regional rivalries, conflicts, diplomatic realignments, economic transformation and ongoing efforts toward peacebuilding. Developments in the region increasingly influence global supply chains, financial markets and energy security far beyond its borders.
As a leading regional power, Saudi Arabia has played an increasingly important role in promoting dialogue, economic development and regional stability. Japan, meanwhile, has long maintained a reputation as a trusted and balanced partner throughout the Middle East.
By working together, these two countries can support initiatives that contribute to conflict prevention, economic development, infrastructure investment and regional cooperation across the Middle East and Africa.
New opportunities are also emerging through major international initiatives, including Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the upcoming Riyadh Expo 2030. These platforms offer additional avenues for collaboration in innovation, smart cities, advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure, human capital development and next-generation technologies.
For 70 years, energy has formed the foundation of Japanese-Saudi relations. The next 70 years, however, should be built on a broader concept: strategic resilience.
The Strait of Hormuz tensions serve as a reminder that energy security, economic security, technological competitiveness, supply-chain resilience and geopolitical stability are now deeply interconnected. The vulnerabilities exposed by disruptions in one region can quickly reverberate across global markets, manufacturing networks, digital infrastructure and national economies.
To reinforce the long-term foundations of the relationship, greater alignment is needed between strategic objectives and the realities of an increasingly complex global energy environment. As energy markets become more uncertain, Japan would benefit from a more integrated and forward-looking approach to energy security that preserves its reputation as a dependable partner to Saudi Arabia and other key energy suppliers.
Among the existing mechanisms that support bilateral cooperation, the Japan-Saudi Parliamentary Friendship League provides a particularly valuable example. Its role extends far beyond ceremonial diplomacy. Through close engagement with government institutions, parliamentarians, business leaders, academic experts and other stakeholders in both countries, it serves as an important platform for aligning economic, energy and strategic interests at a time when geopolitical developments are increasingly shaping global markets.
Building on such successful frameworks, these two countries should consider establishing a dedicated Japan-Saudi Strategic Energy and Economic Resilience Council. Such a mechanism could complement existing parliamentary and governmental channels by bringing together policymakers, industry representatives, researchers and security specialists to address energy security, critical infrastructure protection, supply-chain resilience, emerging technologies, digital infrastructure and the energy transition.
As Japan and Saudi Arabia expand their cooperation beyond traditional energy trade into areas such as advanced technologies, AI, clean energy, economic security and regional stability, stronger institutional cooperation will become increasingly important.
In an era where energy security is closely linked to economic resilience, technological competitiveness and geopolitical stability, deeper strategic coordination can help ensure that the Japanese-Saudi partnership remains a pillar of stability and prosperity for decades to come.
Recent disruptions in the Middle East have demonstrated that energy security depends not only on stable supplies but also on maritime security, logistics, refining compatibility, insurance markets and resilient supply chains. As these factors become increasingly interconnected, closer cooperation among policymakers, industry leaders and strategic partners will be essential.
Looking ahead, Japan would benefit from a comprehensive approach to energy security that combines industrial expertise with strategic foresight. This includes strengthening supply-chain diversification, enhancing logistical flexibility, improving crisis preparedness and exploring alternative export routes where appropriate, while maintaining the long-standing partnership that has underpinned Japan’s energy security for decades.
Ultimately, the Japanese-Saudi partnership should be built not only on energy trade but also on shared strategic objectives, technological innovation, economic resilience and regional stability. The lessons of the current energy crisis are clear: long-term security depends not only on reliable supplies but also on strategic foresight, resilient supply chains and trusted partnerships. In this regard, the Japan-Saudi Arabia relationship remains one of the most important pillars of stability and prosperity in the evolving global energy landscape.
- Noriko Suzuki is a Visiting Professor at Osaka University and Non-Resident Senior Researcher at the Gulf Research Center.
Saudi Arabia and Japan’s new era of strategic resilience
The renewed tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have once again highlighted the fragility of global energy security and the close relationship between geopolitics, maritime trade and economic stability. As one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, any disruption to shipping...
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