Matahiro Yamaguchi, consul general of Japan, and other guests and dignitaries during the cake-cutting ceremony in Jeddah recently.

The Japanese Consulate General hosted a reception to celebrate the 82nd birthday of the country’s Emperor Akihito here recently.

Saudi government officials and guests from various sectors, as well as representatives from diplomatic groups attended the reception. Mohammed Al-Awlaki, director general of Diplomatic and Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Makkah region branch), was the chief guest.

The event was held at the residence of Matahiro Yamaguchi, Consul General of Japan, in Jeddah.

A group of children from the Japanese International School sang the national anthems of Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Yamaguchi welcomed the guests and said that this year’s celebration coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishing of diplomatic relations between the two countries and stressed on excellent ties in various fields in the future.

“Japan and Saudi Arabia enjoy a deep friendship based on the mutual respect and appreciation between the Japanese Imperial Family and the Saudi Royal Family. Our relations have expanded to the highest levels of co-operation, not only in the field of oil and automobiles, but also in the area of youth exchange programs, scholarship programs and the technical cooperation between the universities and institutes of the two countries,” he said.

He said Japan remains committed to the fields of renewable energy, water, infrastructure, metro and railway projects and all development projects required by the Kingdom.

Yamaguchi congratulated the leaders and peoples of the two friendly countries, adding that he hopes Saudi Arabia will witness giant leaps in development and prosperity under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and the assistance of the crown prince and deputy crown prince.

Related articles across the web

• Azerbaijani president expresses condolences to King of Saudi Arabia
• More than 700 killed in Hajj stampede
• Yemeni Pilgrims Reached Makkah to Extensive Efforts
• At least 220 die in deadliest haj stampede since 2006
• Mecca stampede kills at least 450, injures hundreds more
• Saudi Arabia Warns Israel: Hands Off Al-Aqsa (Author: Arab News)
• A Syrian refugee writes to a Saudi King
• A look at major hajj-related accidents in Saudi Arabia
• All you need to know about Mina, where a stampede today killed 717 pilgrims
• Scores Die in Saudi Arabia Hajj Stampede