About the Middle East Institute of Japan (MEIJ)
On October 3, 2020, the Middle East Institute of Japan (MEIJ) celebrated its 60th anniversary. We would like to thank all of our corporate and individual members, as well as all those who have supported us in various ways over the years to make this milestone possible. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have supported us in various ways.
MEIJ was established in 1956 as the first private organization in Japan, which specializes in research and study of the Middle East. On October 3, 1960, MEIJ was authorized as a juridical body under the supervision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Middle East is not only an important source of basic energy for Japan, such as crude oil and natural gas, but in recent years, the Middle East has also become an important destination for Japanese companies as well as place of cooperation in the fields of technology, academia, and private organizations such as NGOs, and cultural exchange between individuals.
However, the Middle East region is a place where the interests of not only the United States and Europe but also China, Russia, and other major powers intersect. In recent years, the region has also been the scene of various conflicts involving the interests of regional powers such as Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. The normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain, which was recently signed in Washington, D.C., is the product of a meeting of the interests of the U.S. and the major powers in the region in the run-up to the presidential election, and Palestine’s reaction has been strong, so it will be interesting to see how the Palestinian issue develops in the future. The activities of Islamic extremists have also destabilized the region, and their impact has been felt far and wide in the international community. Under these circumstances, the need to accurately decipher the situation in the region is becoming even greater.
Despite its small size, MEIJ has research fellows who are well versed in local affairs, politics, economics, society, and religion, and they are constantly researching and analyzing the situation in the region. As one of the results of its research, Chuto Kawaraban (Middle East Weekly News) is highly regarded by the general public as a quick and timely report.
In addition, lectures by Japanese ambassadors to the Middle East, cabinet ministers, and other dignitaries, as well as invited researchers, serve as valuable opportunities to bring together government, industry, academia, and the private sector. In addition, we provide our corporate and individual members with a variety of data on the Middle East region, including Middle East Chronology, a list of key figures in the Middle East, more detailed “Middle East Analysis Reports,” and “Middle East Topics,” which are published monthly.
In this ever-changing international environment, we are aware of our role as a public interest corporation, and we are committed to furthering our information dissemination and exchange activities to meet your expectations, based not only on information about the Middle East, but also on detailed analysis of timely topics.
We look forward to your continued guidance and support.
Mikio Sasaki, Chairperson
Akitaka Saiki, President
October 2020
Middle East Institute of Japan
