Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME) was established in 1973 in the midst of “First Oil Crisis,” with the objective of enhancement of the cooperation in the industrial economic development and trade promotion of oil and gas producing countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, thereby promoting international cooperation in trade and economy between Japan and the MENA countries.

Since then, over the past half century, JCCME has worked to build multilayered relationships with the MENA countries successfully, having centered on supporting for Japanese companies’ endeavors of investment and human resource development. Also, JCCME has provided support to many Japanese companies in the areas of providing information on the investment environment, dispatching missions to study local industries, conducting business feasibility studies, training, technical guidance and human resource development. We would, therefore, like to express our deepest gratitude to our associate members as well as all those who involved in the public and private sectors for their kind support in various ways.

Presently, the environment surrounding the MENA countries has reached an exceptionally critical and unpredictable juncture. Due to the conflict that erupted in the Middle East region in February 2026, the heightened transit risks in the Strait of Hormuz, the subsequent surge in marine insurance premiums, and the disruption of logistics pose grave challenges to Japan’s economy and energy security, given our heavy reliance on the region for the vast majority of our crude oil imports. It is earnestly hoped that regional stability will be restored at the earliest possible date.

Cooperative relations between the MENA countries and Japan have evolved in recent years to include not only economic areas such as investment and business expansion, but also comprehensive cooperation in areas such as the environmental and climate change initiatives, infrastructure development, education, cultural exchanges, medical-healthcare and content business.

It is firmly believed that the movement to promote these various initiatives for comprehensive cooperation in the MENA countries represent not only new business opportunities for both the MENA countries and Japan but also further enhancement of the established mutual trust; thus, the MENA countries have become more vital than ever for Japan’s energy security and industrial development.

On June 23, 2026, JCCME transitioned to a new leadership structure with the appointment of Mr. OKADA Hideichi as the new President. Amid the rapidly changing situation surrounding the MENA countries, we will exert our utmost endeavors to contribute to the further development of the MENA countries and Japanese companies through our investment support projects and other core operations, which will ultimately be beneficial to securing a stable supply of energy to Japan. Accordingly, we are fully determined to dedicate ourselves to our mandated missions, striving to be an entity that is implicitly trusted and relied upon by all stakeholders in both Japan and the MENA countries.

We sincerely appreciate your kind support and guidance.