- Shehab Al Fahim: The dialogue reflects a shared ambition to build on decades of trust and friendship.
- Dr Mohammed Al Ali: Think tanks play a pivotal role in translating closer ties into knowledge and actionable recommendations.
The UAE and Japanese officials and researchers have called for advancing the strategic partnership between the two countries beyond traditional energy cooperation to encompass investment, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI), water security and diplomatic coordination. They also proposed joint industrial projects, innovative water initiatives and stronger research and economic cooperation.
The call came during the DAS Dialogue: UAE–Japan Strategic Forum, organized by TRENDS Global in cooperation with the UAE Embassy in Japan in Tokyo, under the theme From a Historic Energy Partnership to a Shared Future. The forum brought together senior officials, policymakers, experts, researchers, and representatives of think tanks and economic institutions from both countries.
Held at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, the dialogue drew its name from Das Island, the departure point of the first shipment of Abu Dhabi crude oil to Japan in 1962, symbolizing more than six decades of cooperation and friendship.
A Historic Partnership and a Shared Vision
In his opening remarks, H.E. Shehab Ahmed Al Fahim, the UAE’s Ambassador to Japan, affirmed the strength of bilateral relations, noting that the dialogue reflects the shared ambition to build on decades of trust and friendship and open new horizons for strategic partnership.
He highlighted opportunities to expand cooperation in trade, investment, advanced technology, clean energy, and water security, stressing the importance of a regular platform that brings together policymakers, think tanks, and the business community to translate ideas into practical initiatives.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al Ali, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TRENDS Group, said in a recorded address delivered on behalf of the Group’s five companies that the name DAS carries significant historical meaning, recalling the first Abu Dhabi crude oil shipment to Japan in 1962.
He noted that UAE-Japan relations are entering a new phase of comprehensive strategic cooperation, driven by global economic, technological and geopolitical transformations. He highlighted the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as an important framework for expanding trade and investment and strengthening cooperation in advanced manufacturing, AI, the digital economy and clean energy.
On water security, Dr. Al Ali emphasized the potential of combining Japan’s expertise in water management and resilient infrastructure with the UAE’s capabilities in desalination, efficiency and innovation, particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which Abu Dhabi will host in partnership with Senegal.
He also stressed the role of think tanks in translating political and economic rapprochement into shared knowledge, joint research and actionable recommendations. The opening session also featured remarks by Tsujii Akihiro, Assistant Vice-Minister and Deputy Director-General of the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who praised the continued development of bilateral relations.
Foreign Policy and Strategic Cooperation
The first session, Foreign Policy and Strategic Cooperation: The UAE and Japan in a Changing International Order, examined geopolitical developments, regional and international security challenges, and opportunities to strengthen diplomatic coordination.
Moderated and featuring H.E. Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Japanese Foreign Minister and Member of the House of Representatives, the session included Fatima Al Rumaithi, Principal Researcher at TRENDS Research & Advisory; Dr Koji Horinouchi, Director of Research at the JIME Center of the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan; Dr Marwan Al Blooshi, Senior Researcher at the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research; and Dr Amani Kobayashi, Associate Professor at Musashino University and Senior Fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation’s Mediation Support Center.
Discussions focused on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Initiative and its 2022 implementation framework, as well as the conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in March 2026.
Participants stressed that the partnership should be measured not only by trade volumes but also by its ability to address shared global challenges. They highlighted cooperation in energy security, maritime routes, supply chains, AI, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection and preventive diplomacy, alongside the importance of safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Trade, Investment and Economic Partnership
The second session, Trade, Investment and the Next Phase of Economic Partnership, explored opportunities arising from the UAE-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and ways to translate them into tangible investment and industrial projects.
Moderated by Taro Han, Vice President of Asia Group, the session featured Sogano Masafumi, Director of the Middle East and Africa Division at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Mouza Al Marzouqi, Principal Researcher and Director of the Economic Studies Department at TRENDS; and Rawya Al Blooshi, Researcher at the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research.
Participants highlighted opportunities in AI, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, clean energy and digital infrastructure, emphasizing the complementarity between Japan’s technological and industrial expertise and the UAE’s investment and logistics capabilities.
They also called for expanding cooperation into third-country markets, particularly in Asia and Africa. A key proposal was to launch a joint industrial partnership within the next 12 months, establishing a UAE-based project to manufacture strategic components and strengthen critical supply chains.
Water Security and Global Resilience
The third session, Water Security and Resilience in the Face of Global Challenges, explored cooperation in water-resource management and sustainable solutions ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.
Moderated by Professor Kenzo Hiroki of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, the session featured Professor Kei Yoshimura of the University of Tokyo and Najla Al Midfa, a researcher at TRENDS Research & Advisory.
Speakers highlighted the strategic importance of water security and proposed launching a joint UAE–Japan initiative on climate-resilient water, developing cooperation in early-warning systems and cleaner desalination technologies, and leveraging the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to support water innovation and joint projects across Asia and Africa.
They emphasized that while energy laid the foundations for the first 60 years of the UAE–Japan partnership, water could shape the next 60 years.
Dialogue to Action: Key Outcomes
The dialogue concluded with a call to translate its discussions into practical programs and initiatives that advance the UAE–Japan partnership across political, economic, research, and technological fields.
Key recommendations included preparing a joint summary of policy and research priorities, establishing sustainable institutional links between think tanks in both countries, identifying joint research projects, and developing practical proposals to implement the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and encourage private-sector investment.
The recommendations also included identifying joint industrial and investment opportunities, developing UAE–Japan water initiatives in support of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, and exploring the possibility of holding the DAS Dialogue regularly, alternating between the UAE and Japan.
Participants commended TRENDS Global and the UAE Embassy in Japan for organizing the forum and emphasized the importance of continued cooperation.
The DAS Dialogue reaffirmed the potential for the UAE-Japan partnership to enter a more ambitious phase, turning decades of trust and cooperation into joint investments, industrial ventures, and technological and research solutions that support sustainable stability and prosperity.
