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Стенограмма семинара Ассоциации японоведов «Новый ближневосточный кризис и Япония», 14 мая 2026 года, МГИМО — Университет
The Middle East (ME) region is vitally important to Japan, as it accounts for
90% of Japan's oil imports. For many years, Japan has sought to build friendly relations
with all countries in the region, often having to balance its own interests with its strategic
alignment with the United States, its only military and political ally. The seminar examined
various areas of Japan's interaction with ME countries. The participants discussed
the economic aspects of Japan's strategy in the region, its energy policy, and trade and investment
cooperation. Particular attention was paid to Japan-Iran relations and Japan's response
to the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. Various aspects of the crisis's impact
on the Japanese economy and politics were examined, including the issue of deploying
the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) abroad, Tokyo's foreign policy maneuvering between
Washington and Tehran, and the regional and global trajectories of Japan's foreign
policy evolution in light of recent events. Japan-Israel relations and Japan's approach to the Palestinian issue, including the recent crisis in the Gaza Strip, were covered in detail.
An important aspect of Japan's relations with Middle East countries is their perception
through the prism of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) concept, emphasizing their
strategic significance as a link between West Asia and East Africa. Despite Japan's lack
of strong historical and cultural roots in the region, it is not perceived as a hostile country.
On the contrary, countries in the region distinguish Japan from Western countries, allowing
it to carry out sensitive diplomatic missions given its special status in the region. At
the same time, Japan's military presence in the region is not welcomed by Middle East
countries, which are far more interested in tapping into Japan's technological potential
and preserving its humanitarian role.