Japan Stresses Yemen’s Stability as Strategic Priority

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi underscored the strategic importance of Yemen’s stability for regional and international security, citing the country’s vital location on the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait and its impact on Middle Eastern peace and development.

Speaking after a meeting with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al‑Alimi, Motegi reaffirmed Tokyo’s support for the Yemeni government. 

He noted Japan’s continued assistance, including food aid approved in July, as well as financial and personnel contributions to the office of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen.

Motegi highlighted Japan’s role in the Yemen Maritime Security Partnership, where it helps train and strengthen the Yemeni Coast Guard to enhance maritime law enforcement. He linked this effort to Japan’s broader vision of a “free and open Indo‑Pacific.”

The minister also condemned recent Houthi attacks, stressing the need to intensify efforts toward peace in Yemen. He expressed appreciation for Yemen’s solidarity following the Kumamoto earthquake earlier this year.

Motegi pointed to the growing number of Yemeni students benefiting from Japanese government scholarships, expressing hope that graduates will contribute to Yemen’s reconstruction and serve as a bridge for stronger bilateral ties.

The meeting reflects Japan’s dual commitment to humanitarian support and regional security, positioning Yemen’s stability as a cornerstone of international cooperation in the Middle East.