Amman, November 18 (Petra) -- Prince El Hassan bin Talal and Princess Sarvath El Hassan finished a working visit to Japan on Sunday after meeting with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan, according to a statement.

Prince El Hassan sponsored a ceremony hosted by the Jordanian Embassy in Japan marking the 70th anniversary of Jordan-Japan diplomatic relations. Princess Sarvath El Hassan and Princess Takamado of Japan also attended.

Prince El Hassan emphasised the strength and significance of the bilateral relationship, highlighting the focus on enriching both Jordanian and Japanese societies through human-centred cooperation.

He urged deeper connections between Southwest Asia and East Asia. "At a time when global tensions are escalating, the relationship between Jordan and Japan exemplifies our shared belief in human values, mutual understanding and respect for diversity," he said.

Prince El Hassan toured Sophia University in Tokyo and met with the university’s dean, Dr Augustine Salli and President Terumichi Yoshiaki. In a panel discussion with academics and students, he addressed the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, condemning Israel for depriving Palestinians of necessities.

He called for an independent humanitarian system based on human dignity to promote regional stability.

"The conflict today is not just geopolitical; it is a clash between Western technology and Eastern natural resources," he remarked, urging the integration of cultural and historical values to achieve lasting peace in the Levant.

At the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, he met with President Yamakawa Hiroshi and experts, learning about their latest achievements. He underscored the importance of using space science to monitor and address natural disasters and other humanitarian challenges.

Prince El Hassan met with the Japan-Jordan Parliamentary Friendship Association, where he called for redirecting defence budgets globally towards infrastructure and development, particularly in the Great Rift Valley. He highlighted the need for accurate data systems, such as the Multiple Deprivation Index, to better understand and address deprivation.

El Hassan's visit included separate meetings with the Governor of Ibaraki Prefecture, Kazuhiko Oigawa and members of the Japan Middle East Institute.

//Petra// AK

18/11/2024 21:13:10