Years of Culture
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2025/04/24
As the two nations recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, their collaboration remains as dynamic as ever. From economic ventures to cultural initiatives, including the landmark Qatar-Japan 2012 Year of Culture, their bond is reinforced through meaningful exchanges.
With the highly anticipated Japan Expo 2025 on the horizon, this article explores the depth of Qatar-Japan relations and the key milestones that define their enduring friendship.
Diplomatic relations between Qatar and Japan were officially established in 1972, marking the beginning of a longstanding partnership.
Qatar maintains an embassy in Tokyo, led by Ambassador Jaber Jarallah Al-Marri, while Japan has its embassy in Doha, led by Ambassador Naoto Hisajima, facilitating continuous diplomatic dialogue and cooperation. In April 2023, Qatar and Japan signed a visa waiver agreement for ordinary passport holders, significantly enhancing people-to-people exchanges and tourism, linking the two countries.
Over the years, both nations have engaged in numerous high-level visits, strengthening their bilateral ties. In July 2023, His Highness, the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani welcomed His Excellency, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the Amiri Diwan of the State of Qatar. Following this official talks session, they announced the elevation of Qatar-Japan relations to a strategic partnership, aiming to enhance cooperation in sectors such as energy, economy, defence, security, and academic exchange.
In May 2024, Qatar's Culture Minister His Excellency Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Thani also met with his counterpart Mrs. Honda Akiko, Japan's Deputy Minister for Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, in Doha. Their productive meeting discussed future collaborations between the nations, with a particular focus on the upcoming Osaka Expo 2025.
The economic partnership between Qatar and Japan is both historic and substantial. Economic collaboration has evolved over many decades, focusing on shared interests and forward-looking partnerships.
The discovery of oil and natural gas in Qatar significantly enhanced its trade relations with Japan, particularly from the 1970s onwards, laying the foundation for a long-term energy partnership. In 1996, Japan entered into an agreement with Qatar to import six million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually over 25 years, marking Qatar's inaugural LNG export in 1997.
By 2005, Japan had become Qatar's largest trading partner, accounting for approximately 40% of Qatar's exports and over half of its crude oil exports. In 2024, trade between Qatar and Japan reached US$7.7 billion.
As of 2024, approximately 30 Japanese companies are operating in Qatar, primarily in the oil, gas, and infrastructure sectors. Strategic joint ventures such as the LNG production and supply agreements between QatarEnergy and Japanese companies like JERA and Mitsui have underscored the strength of this relationship, through major engineering and construction contracts.
Sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has investments in Japan worth nearly US$646 million (around ¥100 billion), including a 5% stake in Kokusai Electric, and residential properties across major Japanese cities.
In 2024, Qatar participated in the 5th Japan-Arab Economic Forum in Tokyo, between the League of Arab States and Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. The forum explored cooperation in key areas such as energy security, renewable energy, AI, innovation, sustainable development, and human capital.
Cultural exchange has played a fundamental role in Qatar-Japan relations, strengthening mutual respect and deepening appreciation between the two nations.
The Japanese Embassy in Doha actively promotes cultural initiatives in Qatar, participating in a wide range of events in Doha annually. During the AFC Asian Cup in 2023, the embassy hosted a film screening and a kimono show at Katara Cultural Village as part of the festivities. During the 2023 Doha International Book Fair, the embassy organised a Japanese booth showcasing traditional crafts, calligraphy demonstrations, and a Japanese tea ceremony.
Educational alliances have further strengthened ties. The Japan School of Doha offers the Japanese curriculum in Qatar and is fully certified by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan. Hamad Bin Khalifa University offers an established Japanese programme through the Translation & Interpreting Institute.
The Japanese government offers scholarships (known as the MEXT Scholarship) to Qatari students wishing to pursue higher education in Japan and fostering long-term connections between young people in both countries.
In 2012, the two nations celebrated the Qatar-Japan Year of Culture. This was a landmark initiative that not only celebrated the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, but also marked the very first edition of Years of Culture.
Throughout the year-long programme, a diverse array of events, performances, and exchanges were organised, highlighting the rich heritage and contemporary arts of both nations.
The year kicked off with a grand launch event in Tokyo that officially inaugurated the cultural exchange between the two countries. The Qatar Week "Ferjaan" in Tokyo brought a historically-accurate representation of a traditional Souq to Roppongi for a series of exhibits, performances, and talks from Qatari organisations.
A kimono lecture and demonstration at the Museum of Islamic Art taught audiences in Qatar about the history and craftsmanship of Japan’s iconic garment, and a thrilling Wakido Drum performance brought this traditional music style to Qatar. A popular Manga Competition also encouraged storytelling through Japanese comic art.
QM Gallery Al Riwaq in Doha also hosted Ego by Takashi Murakami. The exhibition was the largest collection of work by the Japanese contemporary artist to ever be presented to the public, and the artist’s first in the Middle East.
This first edition not only showcased the unique traditions and innovations of each country but also enhanced the bonds of friendship and understanding, setting a precedent for future collaborations, and laying the groundwork for all the Years of Culture to come.
The legacy of Qatar-Japan 2012 has been profound and long-lasting. The 10th anniversary of Years of Culture in 2022 coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Qatar and Japan.
The occasion was marked by several commemorative events, including the Dialogue of Paper artistic exchange between esteemed Qatari artist Yousef Ahmad and Japanese artist Hayaki Nishigaki, which resulted in a calligraphy-inspired exhibition in Japan.
A Manga Style competition was also held in 2022, a decade after the original competition, with impressive prizes up for grabs. As part of the competition, a community event for manga artists and enthusiasts was held in Doha. A commemorative booklet featuring the work of the shortlisted artists was also published by Years of Culture.
In April 2024, a delegation of Qatari officials travelled to Japan to lay the foundation stone for the Qatari pavilion as part of a ceremony in Osaka. The delegation included Jaber Jaralla Al Marri, the Qatari ambassador to Japan, and His Excellency Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar’s Preparation Committee ahead of the country’s participation in EXPO 2025.
Running from 13th April to 13th October, the Osaka Expo 2025 event will be based around the theme ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives,’ focusing on how to save, empower and connect lives. The Expo will feature pavilions representing 150 countries and anticipates over 80 million visitors to this prestigious global event in Japan.
The multifaceted relationship between Qatar and Japan exemplifies a successful partnership built on mutual respect, shared economic interests, and a deep appreciation for cultural exchange.
As both nations continue to collaborate across various sectors, their enduring alliance serves as a model of international cooperation.
