Damascus, Dec. 23 (SANA) Syria and Japan announced on Tuesday the resumption of relation, marking the start of a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.
The announcement followed an official meeting in Damascus between Mohammad Zakaria Lababidi, Director of the Department of Afro-Asian and Oceania Affairs, and Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Onishi, along with senior officials from both sides. The visit represents the highest-level Japanese diplomatic trip to Syria in more than 15 years.
During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to expand bilateral ties and resume cooperation across multiple sectors. Onishi extended an official invitation to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani to visit Japan.
Lababidi expressed Syria’s interest in benefiting from Japan’s experience in reconstruction and development, while the Japanese delegation pledged new support for Syria’s rebuilding efforts and reaffirmed Japan’s support for Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The officials also discussed the role of the Japanese private sector in reconstruction, including a planned business forum to encourage investment and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) training programs for Syrian professionals, particularly in the electricity sector. Japan also welcomed Syria’s participation in Expo 2027.
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates thanked Japan for its continued support and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation and coordination to deepen bilateral relations.
