In a major diplomatic milestone, United Arab Emirates President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will make a state visit to Japan from February 8 to 10, 2026, marking the first visit by a UAE president to Japan in 36 years. The announcement was confirmed by the Japanese government on December 23, underscoring the deepening ties between the two nations after decades of strategic engagement.
The last time a UAE president visited Japan was in 1990, when the late President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan traveled to Tokyo as a state guest a symbolic moment that helped lay the foundations for long-standing bilateral cooperation. President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, who has visited Japan in other capacities before, will now return in his capacity as UAE President, strengthening the momentum of this partnership.
During his three-day visit, President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed will:
● Meet with Emperor Naruhito and participate in a state banquet at the Imperial Palace, emphasizing the ceremonial and cultural significance of the trip.
● Hold high-level talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, where both leaders are expected to reaffirm cooperation across economic, technological, and strategic sectors.
The visit is designed to further expand collaboration in areas such as energy security, investment in advanced technologies, space development, artificial intelligence, and sustainable innovation fields where both countries have shown strong mutual interest.
The UAE has emerged as Japan’s top supplier of crude oil, overtaking Saudi Arabia, solidifying its role as a key partner in Japan’s energy portfolio. Beyond energy, the UAE has actively promoted investments focusing on future technologies, attracting significant interest from Japanese companies seeking to broaden their global footprint.
Bilateral relations have evolved remarkably over the past fifty years, moving beyond traditional energy cooperation to encompass trade, investment, technology exchange, and cultural ties. In 2023, both nations marked the 50th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations and signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, laying the groundwork for enhanced collaboration through the next decade.
According to Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, the visit aims to “deepen friendly and cooperative relations in a broad range of areas,” illustrating the shared vision of both countries to expand cooperation for mutual benefit.
For Japan, the visit reinforces its engagement with Gulf partners at a time of shifting global energy dynamics and technological competition. For the UAE, strengthening ties with a major economic power like Japan supports its vision of diversifying economic partnerships and fostering innovation-oriented collaborations.
The February 2026 state visit stands as a symbol of enduring friendship and strategic alignment between the UAE and Japan. After more than three decades, this high-level diplomatic engagement signals a renewed commitment to shaping a future of shared prosperity, technological advancement, and robust economic ties.
Originally written by:The Japan Times
Link to the article: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/23/japan/politics/uae-president-japan-visit/
