TOKYO: The Saudi embassy in Tokyo celebrated Saudi Arabia’s 94th National Day with a reception at a local hotel attended by over 400 guests, including Japanese government officials, business leaders, diplomats, Saudi students and members of the Arab and Muslim communities.
The event started with the Saudi national anthem performed by Nahomi Koyasu, followed by the Japanese anthem.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Dr. Ghazi Binzagr welcomed everyone and said: “It was a day to be proud of our beautiful kingdom, its past, present and future, and the vision of its leader who guided us to establish the firm foundations of our nation based on values of our Arab and Islamic identity, a Kingdom of peace and prosperity.
“Today, we have become a beacon in the worlds of science, industry, economy and trade, a destination for the dedicated, committed and honest, and a place where people from all over the world gather to work with great pride in our diverse institutions.”
Binzagr shared his vision for the future, adding: “Yesterday, we were an oil-producing nation. Tomorrow, we aim to be a leader in energy and a powerhouse for alternative energy. We aim to become the global logistical hub that connects the East with the West, localizing industry and technology. Our commitment is to lead the world towards a responsible digital transformation and ensure a high quality of life for every citizen.”
He also highlighted the strength of the Kingdom’s relationship with Japan: “Our relationship is of utmost importance, especially as we approach the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic ties next year. It is a relationship built on trust, mutual respect, common interests and shared values. Today, we see cooperation between our nations in all political, social, cultural, and economic fields. Japan is one of our most important partners in achieving the vision of the Saudi leadership 2030.”