Middle East

Not only is the Middle East home to Mesopotamia and Egypt, the cradles of ancient civilizations, but it has been called the "crossroads of civilization" for its geopolitical circumstances, playing an important role in bringing together the civilizations of the East and the West. Possessing some six-tenths of the world's oil reserves, the Middle East is indispensible for future economic growth around the globe. As exemplified by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, however, the region is beset by unending disputes caused by ethnic, religious, political and other factors, which have a great impact on the governments and economies of the world.

Japan is dependent on the Middle East for about 90% of its oil, and the stability of the region is therefore critical to the energy security of Japan. Unlike European and American society, Japan has built favorable relationships with countries in the Middle East through its historical and political neutrality, and contributing to the stability and development in the Middle East will be an important role for Japan within the international community.