In an expression of admiration for Saudi Arabia’s ambitious digital transformation and mega-project developments, a senior Japanese official signaled Japan’s intent to deepen ties with the Kingdom in the information technology sector.
Japanese Minister for Digital Transformation Taro Kono highlighted the profound impression left on him by his visit to NEOM, a cornerstone initiative of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Speaking to Arab News, Kono remarked on the extraordinary progress of the NEOM project, which he had the chance to observe from above.
Saudi Arabia’s bold Vision 2030 aims to pivot the economy beyond oil reliance, establishing the nation as a nexus for tourism, entertainment, technology, and clean energy. In pursuit of these ambitious goals, the Kingdom is engaging in strategic collaborations with international allies to foster mutual growth and development.
NEOM, often dubbed as the ‘city of the future,’ represents a $500-billion investment and is poised to set a global standard in tech innovation and sustainable living. Spanning 26,500 square kilometers in the country’s northwest, the megacity is a testament to futuristic urban planning and eco-friendly energy use.
Kono observed the youthful demographic of Saudi Arabia, with a majority under 35 years old, which contributes to the nation’s dynamic progress, exemplified by projects like NEOM.
The minister commended the Kingdom’s advancements in cybersecurity, expressing a desire to partner with Saudi Arabia to draw from its experiences in this area. Kono met with Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha, highlighting the potential to learn from Saudi Arabia’s strategies in building resilience against cyber threats.
Kono also pointed out the importance of creating non-English datasets for AI development and envisaged a collaborative effort between Japan and Saudi Arabia in this field. Despite Japan’s historical prowess in hardware, there is an acknowledgment of the need to catch up in the digital domain. To this end, Kono signed a memorandum of cooperation with Al-Swaha to benefit from Saudi IT advancements.
The dialogue between Kono and his Saudi counterparts also touched upon E-ID utilization, with the Japanese minister eager to develop joint use cases to support Japan’s technological advancement. Kono foresees potential cooperation in IT software and AI between the two nations.
The longstanding ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan, spanning nearly 70 years, are reinforced by shared visions and forthcoming events such as Expo 2025 in Osaka and Expo 2030 in Riyadh. Kono expressed his anticipation for continued collaboration, particularly in joint projects for the upcoming Expos.
Osaka’s Expo 2025, which will be the city’s third time hosting the event, is themed ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’ and aims to foster innovation for a sustainable future. Riyadh’s Expo 2030, the first World Expo in the Middle East, will showcase the region’s cultural and technological prowess under the theme ‘The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow,’ aligning with the goals of Vision 2030.
Kono reminisced about the impact of previous Expos on Japan’s economy and society, expressing hope that such events will continue to inspire and bring to fruition the dreams and aspirations of the participating nations, paving the way for future prosperity.