Energy Minister: Saudi Arabia to Continue Collaboration with Japan on Clean Hydrogen

Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman stated that the Kingdom will continue its cooperation with Japan in the field of clean hydrogen and the development of infrastructure for carbon circular economy applications, as reported by Saudi state television. The prince noted that the Kingdom is "continuing to ensure the security of oil supplies to Japan by storing Saudi crude oil in the strategic storage facility on Okinawa Island, as well as by maintaining its status as the most reliable supplier of crude oil to Japan." He added that Saudi Arabia became, in 2021, "the largest oil supplier to Japan, providing about 40 percent" of its needs. The statements from the Saudi Energy Minister followed the meetings between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Saudi leaders in Jeddah, where he arrived on Sunday as part of a Middle East tour that also includes Qatar and the UAE. The Saudi Ministry of Energy announced the signing of agreements with the Japanese Ministry of Industry and Trade to develop clean hydrogen, produce ammonia and its derivatives, and fuel from carbon recycling. Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih stated to the government news channel that "the two countries signed 26 cooperation agreements during the visit."