Saudi- Japanese Emperor's birthday celebrated

(MENAFN- Arab News) JEDDAH: 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.