Oman ‘highly appreciates’ Japan’s military dispatch to the Middle East

A handout picture released by the Omani News Agency shows Asaad bin Tariq al-Said (R), brother of Oman's new leader, meeting with Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe in the capital Muscat on January 14, 2020. (AFP)
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DUBAI: The Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo said the reason for dispatching his country's naval Self-Defence Force to the Middle East is to ensure the safety of vessels in the region. 

The remarks were made during the premier’s visit to Oman, where he met the newly appointed Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al Said of Oman, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Asaad bin Tariq Al Said, Special Representative for the Sultan of Oman.

The Omani deputy prime minister said “I highly value Japan’s efforts and would like to cooperate.”

Japan considers Oman a supply base for the SDF mission, as it is located at the entrance to the Gulf and is geopolitically important.