Civil Service, Aviation, and Innovation at the Core of Bahrain–Japan MoUs

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, affirmed the advanced level of bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Japan, noting that the progress has been achieved under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and His Majesty Emperor Naruhito of Japan.

Speaking during his official visit to Japan, where he met with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in the presence of senior officials, His Royal Highness highlighted that the elevation of Bahrain-Japan ties to a strategic partnership would open new avenues of cooperation, particularly in priority sectors. He emphasized Bahrain’s commitment to further strengthening collaboration with Japan across various fields to achieve shared goals and mutual prosperity.

His Royal Highness also commended the exceptional organization of Expo 2025 Osaka, praising the creativity of its events that address global challenges and showcase innovative solutions for building a sustainable and prosperous future. He noted the importance of international participation in this global platform to exchange knowledge and experiences that contribute to advancing sustainable development.

During the meeting, discussions covered areas of common interest, bilateral cooperation, and the latest regional and international developments, reaffirming both nations’ shared commitment to promoting peace and stability worldwide.

As part of the visit, Bahrain and Japan announced the upgrading of their bilateral ties from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership, strengthening frameworks of cooperation and expanding opportunities in vital sectors.

Several key agreements were signed in the presence of His Royal Highness and the Japanese Prime Minister, including:

• Space Cooperation: A memorandum between the Bahrain Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to enhance joint projects, research and development, training, and expertise exchange.

• Civil Service Collaboration: An MoU between Bahrain’s Civil Service Bureau and the Japan International Cooperation Center to boost cooperation in government human resources management.

• Digital Transformation: An MoU between Bahrain’s Information & eGovernment Authority and Japan’s Digital Agency on sharing expertise in e-government and digital transformation.

• Intellectual Property: An MoU between Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Japan Patent Office for a fast-track program on patent examinations.

• Aviation Services: A consultation document between Bahrain and Japan regarding air transport services and the launch of direct flights.

The visit concluded with a dinner banquet hosted by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in honor of His Royal Highness and the accompanying delegation.