King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa paid a visit to the Japanese Parliament where he was welcomed by Japanese Parliament Speaker Takahiro Yokomichi. HM the King held a meeting with Japanese Parliament Speaker and his deputy and affirmed Bahrain’s keen interest to reinforce bilateral relations and develop joint cooperation. He asserted Japan’s global status in the economic, financial, commercial and political fields in addition to its technological and industrial development. HM the King said that his visit comes in line with Bahrain’s interest to strengthen historical ties with Japan, pointing out that meeting with Emperor Akihito was constructive and fruitful. Also, HM King Hamad met with the Japanese Prime Minister and discussed ways of bolstering economic, investment educational and energy cooperation. HM the King expressed pride in meeting with the Japanese Parliament Speaker, stressing the importance of exchanging official visits and expertise in the parliamentary field in order to strengthen friendship and cooperation ties between the two countries. For his part, the Japanese Parliament Speaker expressed thanks and appreciation of HM the King’s visit, praising bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation and hailing the reform process in Bahrain and democratic development there.