TOKYO: Foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed Japan’s intention to foster close ties with Saudi Arabia in a bid to further strengthen bilateral relationship with the Kingdom. During a telephone conversation on Tuesday with Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Hayashi pledged Japan’s proactive efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East. Hayashi also stated that Japan will support Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its industry through both public and private sectors under the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 framework. In response, Prince Faisal stated Saudi Arabia’s intention to advance cooperation with Japan further, the foreign ministry in Tokyo said. The ministers shared the view to strengthen further the strategic partnership between the two countries in a wide range of areas. During the talks, Hayashi expressed his appreciation for the secure supply of oil from Saudi Arabia to Japan and stated that Japan seeks to cooperate with Saudi Arabia as it plays a leading role in stabilizing the international oil market as a member of OPEC +. In response, Prince Faisal expressed that Saudi Arabia intends to continue its cooperation with Japan. The ministers exchanged views on regional issues in the Middle East, including the situation in GCC countries, Iran and Yemen, an Hayashi strongly condemned the recent cross-border attacks by Houthis and conveyed Japan’s commitment to making proactive diplomatic efforts towards easing tensions in the Middle East and stabilizing the situation. The ministers also shared the view that Japan and Saudi Arabia will continue close cooperation towards achieving the peace and stability of the Middle East, the ministry said. * This article originally appeared on arabnews.jp. Click here to read it .