A warm handshake with history

The role of great leaders during major events is critical for the safety of the world. It requires a strong grip by the hands of the man aspiring to build, and all the achievements, challenges and great scenes are embodied in the dawn of one glorious day, under the flutter of flags that translate people’s hopes and dreams of a tomorrow in which hands will be joined and differences dissolved.
Seeing the majestic moment of the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito, the world senses the wisdom of leaders that is necessary for its balance and growth.
The world is united more than ever at a time when the entire planet rushes toward its future at the speed of light.
Borders and distances are merged due to successive industrial and technical revolutions, while challenges grow for international institutions whose policies are becoming deeper and more sensitive.
Only great peoples, such as our Japanese friends, keep writing their history with the same determination and faith.
I bear an exceptional heritage and a responsibility, of which I feel the enduring gravity, every time history marks an occasion to shape the future of a generation. I remember my homeland’s great ancestors — the late King Abdul Aziz, his sons who succeeded him on the throne, and the loyal men who strove all their lives for a glorious future.
Ancient nations share a similar biography, which begins with devotion and sacrifice and is crowned with glory and immortality.
Saudi Arabia and Japan are not only united by their deep-rooted history and the timeless glory of their leaders, they also share an ethos of working devotedly and diligently to shape future policies and adapt to challenges.
The vision of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is to work with the Kingdom’s historical partners to achieve cultural and human openness, and with its economic partners in a race against time to attain results and accomplishments, promising wealth and prosperity.
The two countries’ vision is brought together in international forums through their seats in international institutions, such as in the G20 forum.
Every day I witness harmonious practice and a flexible path, increasingly embodied by the work of the Saudi-Japanese Vision 2030, which is designed to provide a new basis for what our peoples create and deliver in the interests of world peace.
The invitation extended to Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdul Aziz, minister of state and member of the cabinet, to the enthronement ceremony highlights the strength of the historical and long-standing relationship between Saudi Arabia and Japan.
The high-level royal representation comes as a Saudi message; that the Kingdom stands where its friends stand around the world, and puts its hand in theirs where goodness, growth and stability are the message, and to which the Kingdom does not accept any alternative.
We will stand, alongside the people of the world and our friends, the people of Japan, to witness the beginning of a new chapter enriched by an ancient ceremony.
This new chapter is a compass pointing toward the future, yet its stories will be told under the heading of successes and glories. We will salute His Majesty the Emperor as we learn, once again, what the stability of prosperous homelands can mean for all the peoples of the Earth. This is our future, together.

Naif bin Marzouq Al-Fahadi is the Saudi Ambassador to Japan.