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AMMAN — The Jordan Economic Forum (JEF) hosted recently a dialogue under the title "Understanding Geo-economics Realities: What Lies Ahead for Jordanian-Japanese Relations?" attended by Japanese Ambassador to Jordan Hideki Asari.
The ambassador said that Japan sees Jordan as a strategic gateway for expanding its economic engagement in the Middle East and seeks to deepen bilateral cooperation beyond traditional development assistance towards investment, technology, logistics and regional connectivity
Asari noted that the global economy is undergoing profound geopolitical and geo-economics shifts, prompting Japan to strengthen its role not only as one of the world's leading exporting nations, but also as a strategic partner in trade, technology and supply chain resilience.
"Although exports remain a cornerstone of Japan's economy, the country's global competitiveness increasingly relies on trusted supply chains, high-quality infrastructure, technological innovation and secure access to critical minerals," he added.
The ambassador warned that the international order that has supported global prosperity for decades faces unprecedented pressure from rising geopolitical tensions and growing economic fragmentation, according to a JEF statement.
Despite these challenges, greater cooperation, dialogue and inclusiveness among countries remain the most effective path to preserving stability and sustainable growth, he said, warning that further division and confrontation would ultimately weaken the global economy.
Asari commented that Jordan has emerged as one of Japan's key regional partners due to its political stability, strategic location and highly educated workforce.
He said the Kingdom is an "anchor of stability" in a region facing persistent challenges, such advantages provide a strong foundation for expanding bilateral economic and investment cooperation.
"Jordan's greatest asset remains its investment in human capital," Asari said, noting that the expansion of higher education over recent decades has created a skilled workforce capable of supporting economic development and attracting international investment.
He said future cooperation should focus increasingly on investment and private-sector partnerships (PPPs), with Jordan serving as a regional platform for manufacturing, logistics and services targeting neighbouring markets rather than the domestic market alone.
Asari also highlighted Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) initiative, describing it as a framework that strengthens a rules-based international order while promoting connectivity through quality infrastructure and closer economic integration.
"With the Middle East serving as a bridge between Asia and Europe, Jordan stands well placed to play a central role in emerging regional connectivity initiatives, particularly as interest grows in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)," he said.
He stated that Jordan should be viewed not only as a source of regional stability and humanitarian support, but also as an economic and logistics platform capable of attracting investment and connecting regional and international markets.
Reviewing decades of Jordanian-Japanese cooperation, Asari highlighted projects implemented through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), including support for the Jordan Museum and Petra Museum, describing them as successful examples of preserving and showcasing Jordan's cultural heritage.
He also pointed to joint regional training programmes in electricity, infrastructure, community policing and water management, saying they reflect Jordan's growing role as a regional centre for knowledge transfer and technical capacity building.
Another example is the NINJA initiative, which provides Jordanian start-ups with seed funding and mentoring to help entrepreneurs attract investors expand their businesses and strengthen innovation-led economic cooperation.
Asari said future cooperation could expand across water, energy, food security, smart agriculture, high-quality infrastructure, cyber security, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and information and communication technology, creating opportunities for Japanese investment, technology transfer and long-term economic partnership.
For his part, Jordan Economic Forum President Khair Saalik said Jordanian-Japanese relations represent a longstanding model of mutual respect and political understanding that should now translate into stronger economic and commercial ties.
"While Jordan highly values Japan's decades-long support for development projects across the Kingdom, the next stage of the relationship should place greater emphasis on investment, trade and private-sector cooperation," Saalik said.
He noted that bilateral trade, estimated at around $400 million annually, does not reflect the strength of political relations between the two countries and called for broader economic cooperation.
Saalik described Japan as a strategic partner with globally recognised expertise in manufacturing, technology, innovation and management, stressing the importance of drawing on Japanese experience to improve Jordan's business environment and competitiveness.
Moderator of the session, JEF board member Malak Akiely said geo-economics has become a defining force shaping trade routes, investment flows, technology partnerships, supply chain resilience, energy security, cyber security and food security.
She said Jordanian-Japanese relations have entered a new phase that extends beyond traditional development cooperation towards a broader strategic partnership focused on investment diversification, energy transition, supply chain security and stronger private-sector engagement.
Akiely highlighted the momentum generated by His Majesty King Abdullah's visit to Tokyo in November 2025, which led to expanded cooperation in financial support and cyber security, as well as the establishment of a public-private joint committee to improve Jordan's investment climate.
She added that the inaugural meeting of the Japan-Jordan Joint Committee in Amman in February 2026, attended by representatives from Japanese ministries, JETRO, JICA, JBIC and Japanese companies operating in Jordan, created a practical framework for implementing projects and strengthening business partnerships.
The session concluded with discussions on expanding economic cooperation through greater investment, trade, technology transfer and knowledge exchange, while reinforcing Jordan's role as a regional hub for business and investment, according to the statement.
