Ammon News - Chairman of the Jordanian-Asia and Oceania Parliamentary Friendship Association, MP Abdel Rahim Al-Maaia, stressed the importance of advancing Jordan's relations with Japan to levels coping with the joint "deep-rooted, positive" ties by strengthening means of political coordination and economic, cultural and tourism educational and transport cooperation.

Speaking at his meeting on Wednesday, with the Japanese Ambassador to Jordan, Shimazaki Kaoru, the lawmaker stressed the need to strengthen Jordanian-Japanese parliamentary relations, benefit from mutual expertise and open new cooperation prospects.

Al-Maaia pointed to the importance of Japan's role in supporting issues of common concern, especially the Palestinian cause, lauding its stance towards supporting the Hashemite custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

The MP also touched on the refugee issue and its repercussions on Jordan, which negatively affected its health, education and infrastructure sectors.

The association's members highlighted the need to increase assistance provided by the Japanese government to Jordan, amid the Covid-19 pandemic and its repercussions on the economy, as well as the large refugee waves.

The MPs said Jordan continues to support all efforts led by His Majesty King Abdullah II, aimed at establishing security and stability in the region.

The envoy, for his part, valued the efforts led by Jordan, under the King's leadership, its role to foster bilateral relations and its continuous efforts to maintain security and stability in the region.

Referring to the "strong" relations between the two countries, Kaoru said Japan views Jordan as "a friend and strategic partner," expressing his country's desire to support the Kingdom under the current circumstances.