RIYADH, 19 August — A Japanese parliamentary delegation arrived here yesterday in a renewed bid to boost cooperation between the two countries in various fields. The mission members will acquaint themselves with the Saudi Shoura system and hold wide-ranging talks on matters of common interest.
Junya Matsuura, first secretary at the Japanese Embassy, said the 14-member delegation composed of members of the Japanese House of Representatives is led by senior parliamentarian Yoshinari Norota. It also includes an official from the Ministry of Finance and another one from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
During this trip to the Kingdom, the parliamentarians will hold talks with Saudi officials on a broad range of issues including trade, commerce and relations in oil sector.
The delegation, which earlier visited Jordan and Iraq, will leave for Iran on Aug. 20 after a three-day stay in the Kingdom.
Matsuura confirmed that a visit by Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, to Tokyo has been postponed. He, however, said he could not give reasons for the cancellation.
Prince Sultan was scheduled to visit Japan in mid-September at the invitation of the Japanese government. Al-Hayat Arabic newspaper last week reported that the visit has been put off.
Japanese Foreign Minister Kono Yohei visited Saudi Arabia in March this year followed by a visit by Minister of Economy and Industry Hiranuma early last month.
Matsuura said Japanese Ambassador Shotaro Oshima will leave for Tokyo this month at the end of his tenure here, but did not name his successor.
