Syria and Japan Hold First Round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Damascus

First Bilateral Consultations in Damascus

Syria and Japan held the first round of their bilateral political consultations in Damascus on Tuesday, marking a formal step toward deepening ties across multiple areas of cooperation.

According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the two sides reviewed files related to diplomatic representation, development cooperation, trade and investment exchange, educational and cultural collaboration, as well as regional developments of mutual concern.

Key Outcomes and Agreements

Both parties affirmed their commitment to Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and agreed to strengthen coordination within international forums and organizations. They also agreed to continue consultations on issues of shared interest. The Japanese delegation reaffirmed its country's support, at both the governmental and public levels, for Syria's path toward development, recovery, and rebuilding.

Delegations and Participants

The Syrian side was led by Mohammed Al-Jafal, Adviser to the Foreign Minister for Afro-Asian Affairs, and included Nada Al-Aswad, Director of the Afro-Asian and Oceania Affairs Department, and Qutayba Qadish, Director of the International Cooperation Department.

The Japanese delegation was headed by Ambassador Keiichi Iwamoto, Assistant Foreign Minister and Director-General of the Middle East and Africa Affairs Bureau, alongside Akihiro Tsuji, Charge d'Affaires of the Japanese Embassy in Syria, and a number of officials from both sides.

Concurrent Japanese Engagements in Syria

The consultations took place as part of a broader visit by Ambassador Iwamoto to Syria, during which he participated in the inauguration of the Douma National Hospital in Rural Damascus following its rehabilitation with Japanese funding. The facility is expected to serve approximately 550,000 people.

Iwamoto also met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani in Damascus to discuss the development of bilateral relations, rebuilding and investment files, and the strengthening of diplomatic coordination. The Japanese Embassy in Damascus had previously affirmed Tokyo's continued support for Syria's economic recovery and development, with an emphasis on expanding the role of the private sector and broadening public-private partnerships in the rebuilding process.

Japanese Support: Figures and Measures

Data from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates that Tokyo has provided approximately 3.5 billion dollars in assistance to Syria and neighboring countries since 2012 as part of its humanitarian response. Japan has also received 144 Syrian students since 2017 under dedicated scholarship programs.

In May 2025, Japan lifted sanctions on four Syrian banks, with the Foreign Ministry stating that the decision reflected steps taken by the Syrian government in the areas of political settlement and national reconciliation.