Nishimura honors legacy of Sheikh Hamad, outlines a vision for Japan-Qatar relations｜Arab News Japan - EUROPE SAYS
Arab News JapanTOKYO: NISHIMURA Yasutoshi, Chairman of the Japan-Qatar Parliamentary Friendship League, delivered a formal tribute to the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, former Emir of Qatar, who. . .
Arab News JapanTOKYO: NISHIMURA Yasutoshi, Chairman of the Japan-Qatar Parliamentary Friendship League, delivered a formal tribute to the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, former Emir of Qatar, who passed away on July 12. Speaking to Arab News Japan in his office in the Parliament building in Tokyo, Nishimura looked back on Qatar’s remarkable transformation, recalling his visit to Ras Laffan Industrial City, “where the vast LNG plants left a lasting impression. ” He voiced deep gratitude for the steady flow of energy that has powered Japan through the years. Nishimura emphasized the achievements of the late Sheikh Hamad “who guided Qatar’s emergence as a leading global LNG supplier. ” He acknowledged the Sheikh’s foresight in founding the Qatar Investment Authority in 2005, which enabled substantial economic partnerships with Japanese companies. The Japanese politician Nishimura also recognized Sheikh Hamad’s role in establishing Al Jazeera, now a prominent international news network, and in advancing Qatar’s influence in mediation diplomacy, especially in conflicts involving the United States, Israel, Iran, and Hamas. Looking to the future, Nishimura, who has recently taken over from Chairman NIKAI Toshihiro, pledged to carry this legacy forward. He shared his vision of deepening the Japan-Qatar partnership, reaching beyond energy into diplomacy, economic growth, and new areas of cooperation. He closed with heartfelt condolences for the late Sheikh Hamad. Nishimura, a seven-term Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker for Hyogo 9th District, has been a prominent figure in Japanese politics since his initial election in 2003. As a graduate of the University of Tokyo and the University of Maryland, he has held several senior cabinet and party leadership roles, including Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy. He has played a key role in shaping Japan’s economic strategy, industrial competitiveness, and crisis management, notably leading the LDP Headquarters for Novel Coronavirus Measures and overseeing portfolios related to the Trans-Pacific Partnership.