Japanese Ambassador Jiro Kodera hosted the National Day Reception of Japan to celebrate 81th birthday of the country’s Emperor Akihito in Riyadh on Tuesday. Saudi government officials and guests from different sectors as well as representatives from diplomatic corps attended the reception at the ambassador’s residence led by Riyadh Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and Minister of Economy and Planning Dr. Mohammed bin Sulaiman Al-Jasser.

Kodera said Japan and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed friendly relations over the last 60 years, with the Japanese imperial family and the Saudi royal family maintaining a cordial relationship.

He said Crown Prince Salman officially visited Japan earlier this year. He closely witnessed the visit in Tokyo in his capacity as ambassador, a visit which he said renewed his belief that Japan and Saudi Arabia will expand their oil-based, economy-oriented relations into the comprehensive partnership. The two countries, he said, will ‘collaborate’ and ‘co-prosper & co-exist’ in all areas, and at the same time will value ‘harmony & tolerance’ in their relations.

Expressing his appreciation of the chance to work as the Japanese ambassador in this great and wonderful country, Kodera said the coming year 2015 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan-Saudi diplomatic relations and invited guests and visitors “to join in the momentum toward the comprehensive partnership between the two countries.”

The ambassador concluded his speech by wishing the best of health and prosperity for Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Crown Prince and the Saudi people.

The Embassy of Japan holds various cultural events to introduce modern and traditional Japanese culture on the occasion of National Day.